Liverpool has plenty of work to do still in the transfer market, but Jürgen Klopp must also work on improving players that he already has, including Darwin Núñez.
While there is something of an obsession with transfers in some quarters, Liverpool also has other things to consider this summer — chiefly, how to make the most of the players that Jürgen Klopp already has.
The quality of the Liverpool squad — and the depth, particularly in midfield — needs to be addressed but there is also a good chance, with a rare full and long pre-season, to make improvements with those who are already at the club.
The summer will provide the ideal platform to integrate Alexis Mac Allister and the other new signings who will arrive in due course, and the period will also be important for the likes of Darwin Núñez to take the next steps and become even more familiar with the system.
There is also a question to be asked about what happens with the formation moving forward, with Trent Alexander-Arnold having done very well in a hybrid role at the back end of the previous campaign.
What does the ideal summer look like when Liverpool can sort out all of those issues and set up a serious Premier League title tilt? We’ve taken a look.
Three more transfers
In an ideal world, there is no doubt that Liverpool needs another couple of midfielders and then a defender too. In terms of names, Khéphren Thuram is on the Reds’ shortlist, while a move for Nicolò Barella should be explored if there is a chance of the Italian Champions League finalist leaving Inter.
At the back, Micky van de Ven is clearly open to a move to Anfield having spoken openly on the subject recently, but there are other highly-rated center-backs out there who can play on the left side who should be considered as well.
If Caoimhín Kelleher stays, there is no reason to tweak the goalkeeping department, while even with Roberto Firmino’s exit, the likes of Ben Doak and Kaide Gordon should be able to step up when needed, with five senior forwards to choose from ahead of them.
Darwin Núñez unlocked
One element of the Liverpool reset this summer has to come in the form of new signings, but there is also a need for some existing players to take the next step.
One of those is certainly Núñez, who scored 15 times in his debut season. With a functioning midfield behind him and less pressure on his shoulders, with Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota back, he should be able to kick on.
He could be Liverpool’s number nine with a squad number change, but the challenge is to make sure that he is a regular in that role on the pitch despite competition from plenty of players including Cody Gakpo.
The Europa League could really help him build confidence, and the evidence is there at his former clubs that he tends to take a little while to get adjusted to life at a new club, before exploding properly in his second full year.
Others to take the next step
Núñez will not be the only one looking to kick on. Gakpo is another who has had a little bit of time to settle in and now must prove he can score regularly on top of being the link man up front.
In midfield, Curtis Jones will hope to continue where he left off (and that his injuries are behind him) and the likes of Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajčetić can progress again too.
Aside from the younger players, for more senior men like Alisson Becker and Mohamed Salah, the challenge is to maintain their levels; for most of the rest of the Liverpool squad, it is more about rediscovering previous levels — with Fabinho and Díaz among those to fall into that category for different reasons.
Get all of that right — and there is no reason that Liverpool can’t — and Klopp’s men will be right back where they want to be in no time, and the poor performances of last season can be put to one side.
