Liverpool signings: Big names or squad men - who should Jurgen Klopp buy?
Last updated on .From the section Liverpool
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has suggested the Premier League champions are not planning any major signings this summer.
Klopp has cautioned against the club making big outlays as a result of the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic - despite their Premier League rivals already spending significant money.
Chelsea have made significant moves on the transfer front and Manchester City are close to adding to their squad in the next few days.
So, as Klopp aims to "attack, not defend" their title, does he need to buy in this window? Three former Reds players - defender Gary Gillespie, winger John Barnes and striker Emile Heskey - give their views to BBC Sport.
'A little bit bare' - a case for the defence
Trent Alexander-Arnold, central defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, plus left-back Andy Robertson ended the season as the preferred defence - with Joel Matip the main central defensive cover with Dejan Lovren, though the latter has now left to join Zenit St Petersburg for £10.9m.
Klopp also has 23-year-old Nathaniel Phillips, who helped Stuttgart gain promotion back to the Bundesliga last season, and 18-year-olds Sepp van den Berg and Ki-Jana Hoever as centre-back options.
"They are a little bit bare," said Gillespie, who won three titles with Liverpool between 1983 and 1991. "With Lovren going they will probably need a centre-back."
Neco Williams, 19, has shown he is capable of deputising for Alexander-Arnold, but 19-year-old left-back Yasser Larouci is set to leave the club - leaving midfielder James Milner, 34, as the man to fill in for Robertson.
"It's no secret he will want a left full-back to cover Andy Robertson," added Gillespie. "He's the one who probably doesn't get the amount of rest that maybe some of the other ones do.
"The way Jurgen wants to play, it is a key area of the pitch."
'Extra creativity could be costly'
Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara has been constantly linked with Liverpool but two-time title winner Barnes has doubts whether such a move is needed.
"With the midfield being very workmanlike, they are a lot of points better off than everybody else," he said.
"The reason you can have two full-backs attacking at the same time and three strikers is because they have three hard-working midfielders to protect that situation.
"If you get another creative midfielder and you want your full-backs and front three to attack, then maybe you are going to concede more goals."
Liverpool have lost Adam Lallana but still have the forward-thinking Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri in midfield - although the Switzerland player could leave.
Curtis Jones suggested towards the end of the season that he could become a regular on the bench at least, and they also have wide midfielder Harvey Elliott, though the talented 17-year-old is one for the future. Marko Grujic and Harry Wilson will also be back at the club after spells out on loan.
Barnes added: "Manchester City have got how many creative players in their midfield? But Liverpool finished 20-odd points ahead of them. Maybe Manchester City should say: 'Let's get more hard-working players in midfield so we can catch Liverpool.'"
Does the front three need changing?
Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are clearly Liverpool's top forward line - scoring more than 250 goals between them under Klopp.
While striker Timo Werner was heavily linked with Liverpool before joining Chelsea for about £48m, Barnes questions how much the Germany forward would have played.
Heskey, who played 223 times for the Reds between 2000 and 2004, is wary about too much change.
"It's whether you disrupt that front three and push for someone else," he said. "They get most of their goals from the wings and Firmino is the one that makes it all tick.
"Do you disrupt that by taking him out of there and putting in someone who might get you more goals but might disrupt the balance of what makes that particular three work?"
Where does that leave Liverpool?
Liverpool have only signed young defender Van den Berg, free transfer keepers Adrian and Andy Lonergan, who has left this summer, and Japan forward Takumi Minamino in the past two transfer windows.
Gillespie, Barnes and Heskey do not expect too much more in the way of major signings during this summer break either.
"Liverpool will want to strengthen in some capacity if they can," said Heskey.
"I would say second string rather than the first XI. Arguably, Manchester City probably have the strongest squad and Liverpool probably have the strongest team."
Barnes added: "I don't even think it is the coronavirus pandemic. I don't necessarily think they need to make huge signings.
"Jurgen Klopp likes the harmony of the squad. Maybe he has to get more squad signings but not big-name signings necessarily going into the first XI."
Gillespie believes a "big-name signing gives everyone a lift" but is unsure if that is possible in these "unprecedented times".
The former Scotland defender said: "It's about getting the balance right. I'd be surprised if they don't go into the transfer market in some shape or form.
"I still think they are more than well-equipped to challenge and attack the title. The starting line-up would be more or less the same as what it has been over the last two seasons - presuming everyone stays."
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You mean the Milner who is still the holder of the Champions League?
Great point
City missed Laporte this season I think his absence reflects that 20 point gap. Are Liverpool reaching 99 points without Van Dijk? Absolutely not.
Is Laporte as good as VVD,absolutely not.
Gomez,Lovren and Matip all missed games last season.
If £400 million spent on defenders,leaves you with Fernandinho playing C/B ,whose fault is that ?
Liverpool 'dont spend' money. Shame on you BBC. Van dyk cost 20 quid and allison a pkt of crisps and a pint.
VVD has been there 2 and a half years, will you still be mentioning him in another 5 years ?
Man City have spent £400 million Since Liverpool signed VVD
City paid £121 million on Rodri and Cancello to sit on the bench !
Well actually, combined, they cost what they got for Philippe Coutinho.
Now that looks like smart business.
Liverpool have one of each.
Inevitably, I agree with Heskey. Man City have the best squad and Liverpool the best team.
The concern for Liverpool is the alternatives to the first 11 (especially in defence and attack) are a noticeable step down.
A quality CB/LB and forward would be most welcome.
Gomez, you don’t rate him......REALLY
How many teams would try and snap him up if he became available.
You stick to Scottish football 😂😂😂😂😂😂
#voideuropeancups
I would like cover at left back, otherwise we are ready to go again. We’ve had 90 plus points for the past 2 seasons...the most important man is Klopp!
I think it is more important to keep who we’ve got rather than shiny new signings.
YNWA
Bring the youngsters through the academy..
The right way to go.
If new signings are good, they will soon become great, under Klopp.
Gomez just oozes class and Milner is a great player.... to rebut other comments on here.
They have brilliant starting XI but look very light otherwise; they got really lucky with injuries last season. Focus on decent squad players to replace Lovren, Lallana e.t.c.
Would like to see us bring in another solid senior CB as cover, Matip is oft injured and with Lovren gone we'll need someone to step in when needed. Otherwise the squad is strong, would another striker be willing to sit and wait for his chance?
They’ll probably open up the cheque book to kick start another £1.5bn spending spree to get their next trophy.
Liverpool being Premier League Champions is really hurting you.
I can feel your pain from here 😂😂😂😂😂😂
#voideuropeancups
To win a major cup double or treble in the same season needs two quality players for every position.
Fergie and Pep understand this, but Klopp would rather play seriously weakened teams in domestic cups.
Fergie ?
Yes Klopp played a weakened team due to the World Club match,Fergie pulled Manu out !
In his first 5 years Fergie won NO trophies,never mind a big one !
Other than that the article covers LB CB & CM.
What does a team who just amassed 99 point need?
YNWA.
Also need cover for left back, and another CB to cover.
midfield is amazing but having a creative creative player in the mix would be good.
Upgrading a few squad players, essentially.