Klopp’s Liverpool signings ranked
Jurgen Klopp has been Liverpool manager for just over three years now and the German has put together a squad that looks capable of making a serious challenge for the Premier League title. But how do those signings rank?
Let’s take a look.
17 – Alex Manninger
The Austrian veteran was signed in the Summer of 2016 to bring some experience and wisdom to the squad. He spent one season at Anfield and didn’t make a first-team appearance. His presence was seemingly more about acting as a mentor for Loris Karius, who had arrived at the club a few weeks earlier. He quietly left last year and few will have noticed.
16 – Steven Caulker
The English defender was a surprise loan signing during the January transfer window of 2016. Klopp brought him in to add cover to the centre of his defence, but he was mostly used as a makeshift striker off the bench. He now plays for Dundee up in Scotland and few will be surprised.
15 – Loris Karius
The German goalkeeper arrived at Anfield in the Summer of 2016 from Klopp’s former club Mainz. Much was expected of the former Manchester City trainee following his fellow professionals voting him the second best stopper in the Bundesliga. He never quite managed to convince over his two seasons with the club and will always be remembered for his howlers in the Champions League final.
14 – Marko Grujic
The Serbian was signed in January 2016 on the advice of former assistant manager Zeljko Buvac. He didn’t arrive from Red Star Belgrade until the following Summer and struggled to break into the side. Had a promising loan spell with Cardiff City in the Championship as they got promoted to the Premier League last season and is currently enjoying his time in Germany with Hertha Berlin. Could well move up the list.
13 – Dominic Solanke
Was a surprise signing from Chelsea in preseason before the 2017/18. Has a superb record at youth level for club and country but has never got going at club level. Made plenty of appearances off the bench in his debut campaign, but missed some good chances. Finally scored his first goal for the club on the final day of the domestic season against Brighton in May. Looks to be well down the pecking order this year and needs a loan move to show what he can do. If he can transfer his England form, he could be a good player to have around.
12 – Ragnar Klavan
The Estonia international was a surprise signing in the Summer of 2016. He arrived from FC Augsburg for a little over £4m and provided valuable experience as a backup during his two seasons at Anfield. Left as something of a cult hero in the Summer when he joined Italian club Cagliari. Might well have proved useful this season after injuries to Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.
11 – Joel Matip
The Cameroon international centre-back arrived on a free transfer from Schalke in Klopp’s first Summer. A deal was agreed in the January of that year and fans were excited to see if he could solve the defensive issues at the club. He made a solid start, but injury problems hampered his progress and form. Has played well recently, but suffered another injury blow against Napoli. A good player to have as fourth choice for the position.
10 – Naby Keita
Much is expected of the Guinea international midfielder and hopes were raised further after his performance against West Ham on debut. But injuries have meant that his progress has been somewhat slow. He’s shown flashes of what he can do against Burnley and Bournemouth and is likely to move up the list if he regains the form that saw Klopp willing to wait a year to sign him.
9 – Fabinho
The Brazil international was signed soon after the Champions League final in May. He built himself a fine reputation playing for Monaco and was a man in demand. Klopp has eased him into the team so far this season, but he has shown what he’s capable of with some encouraging performances. Looks a good replacement for Emre Can.
8 – Xherdan Shaqiri
The Swiss international finally moved to the club after being linked many times over the past five years or so. Looks an absolute steal at £13m following Stoke City’s relegation. He always looks eager to impress and has notched a few goals so far. Another who will want to push up this chart in the future.
7 – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Made a very underwhelming start, but once he got up to speed fans saw why Klopp wanted to bring him to Anfield. Was key to wins over Manchester City both domestically and in Europe last season before being dealt cruel injury blow against Roma. His absence has been felt this season and that is testament to how well he was playing.
6 – Georginio Wijnaldum
Another player signed from a relegated club when he joined from Newcastle United in the Summer of 2016. Works his socks off in midfield and is one of Klopp’s most trusted players in the centre of the park. Could score more goals, but has a knack of hitting the back of the net on the bigger occasions.
5 – Andrew Robertson
The third player to be signed from a relegated club on this list. Few expected much of the Scotland skipper when he arrived from Hull City for just £8.5m last year. But he has gone from strength to strength and is now arguably the best left-back in the Premier League. A huge upgrade on Alberto Moreno and is rock solid in his place.
4 – Sadio Mane
The Senegal international arrived from Southampton in the Summer of 2016 after turning down Manchester United – which got him off to a great start. He showed just what he was capable of by scoring what proved to be the winner against Arsenal in a 4-3 opening day win. Snatched a late derby winner against Everton that Christmas and also got his name on the scoresheet in the Champions League final last season. His pace and goals have proved invaluable to Klopp’s side.
3 – Alisson Becker
The Brazil international is everything that a modern goalkeeper should be. He’s excellent positionally and makes some fantastic saves. The former Roma man is also very good with the ball at his feet and his quick thinking has been key to a few goals already. Is the number one the club has needed since Pepe Reina lost form and left. Is probably already better than the Spaniard – which is saying something.
2 – Virgil Van Dijk
Could easily be number one on the list given the impact he has made since his world record arrival just under a year ago. Was well worth the wait given his leadership and the quality he brings. Touted by many fans as the best defender in the game and that is without a hint of bias. He’s that good.
1 – Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian almost signed for the club in 2014, but joined Chelsea instead. All of that has been forgiven since he arrived from Roma last year. Has looked an absolute steal at around £35m. Scored a record thirty-two Premier League goals last season, including just one penalty, and was key to getting to Kiev. Has been labelled a one season wonder by rival fans but is currently joint top of the scoring charts this season. Klopp neeeded persuading to bring him to Anfield after Julian Brandt rejected a move from Bayer Leverkusen. I bet he’s relieved.
