Liverpool have reportedly announced their second signing of the season. After numerous hindrances and countless reports of a failed deal, Liverpool have finally successfully landed their long-term target Mohamed Salah on a four-year deal.
The winger makes a £34 million move from Serie A side AS Roma to Anfield following a brilliant season with the Italian league runner-up. The 25-year-old Egyptian international has scored 19 goals and assisted 15 times in all competitions last season, and Klopp would expect a prolific season from him next term. With Champions League in mind, Liverpool were hot on his heels.
However, this is not the first time that they are pursuing him. Salah was dangerously close to signing for the Reds back in 2014 before Chelsea scooped him up from FC Basel right at the last moment. His first stint in the Premier League was one to forget though. He could make only six league starts with the Blues before being loaned off to Serie A and Roma bought him permanently for £15 million last summer itself.
Klopp managed to bring in a second striker, the first one being Chelsea’s Dominic Solanke, in just a month. And we expect Liverpool to concentrate on other areas now. Here are 3 other positions, Liverpool would absolutely need to strengthen-
Centre Half- Klopp had to face some vile criticism for Liverpool’s abysmal defensive displays the last term. The Reds conceded 42 goals last season, which was nowhere near as good as the title challengers Chelsea (33) and Tottenham Hotspur (26). Challenging them next term would mean having an equally effective backline, which can shut down opponents and keep Liverpool in the game until the last minute.
Apart from Joel Matip, the Reds had some pretty inconsistent performers in Ragnar Klavan and Dejan Lovren. While they did straighten themselves up during the end stages, it cost Liverpool some very vital points.
Left-Back- Let’s face it, James Milner is not a good at adapting to the left back’s role. And in playing him in that role, not only are the Reds wasting a fine central midfielder who could be pretty helpful elsewhere but they are missing out on a complete attacking dimension that an overlapping left winger can bring. With Alberto Moreno a goner this summer, Klopp would need a quality left-back.
Central midfielder- While many might say Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum were brilliant in the midfield the last term, they would be ripped apart in the Champions League if Liverpool manages to cross the group stages.
They are too slow and defensively inept as has been seen on many occasions the last term. Milner is too old to be considered as the main option in that area and Klopp would need a perfect anchorman there.
