Season Preview: Liverpool Season Preview

To say that Liverpool are the sort of club where every decision that is made, whether it be player movement in the transfer market or tactics implemented by the manager in-game and the results that follow, comes with a extreme level of scrutiny would be putting it mildly. The Reds are a high-profile club and, no matter what type of success they may have had in a previous season, the goal is always to reach the top and to do what they are historically supreme at – lifting trophies. In recent years, they have gone through a few different managers as they look for the right man to make them perennial contenders for the league title and regular participants in cup finals. In October of last season, they hope to have found that man in Jurgen Klopp and now Klopp is ready to put his stamp on the club this summer ahead of his first full season in charge. Last season was a bit of a honeymoon for him but this season expectations will be high, especially considering the amount of activity the Reds have been involved in during this current transfer window. They do not appear to be short on talent at this point in time, the question is whether Klopp can successfully connect the many pieces he has at his disposal to take the club to the next level.

Last Season in Brief

Brendan Rodgers began last season as manager and was sacked for Klopp following Liverpool’s draw in the Merseyside Derby in early October. Rodgers did not exactly run the team into the ground. He exited with a (3W, 2L, 2D) record and, though he was criticized for some of his transfer decisions, he did manage to bring in James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne and Roberto Firmino – three players that would cement regular roles and be positive addtions to the club. Conversely, he managed to take the £35.2m the club made on the sale of Raheem Sterling and nearly spend it all (£32.5m) on Christian Benteke, who did not come close to returning on his investment. In fact, it has been the strikers Rodgers has brought in that has hurt the club the most. He cannot be blamed for Danny Ings getting injured and missing virtually the entire 2015/2016 season but he also decided bringing in the likes of Mario Baloteli and Ricky Lambert were good ideas. The transition from Rodgers to Klopp did not bring immediate success. The club hovered in the slightly-above mid-table zone for virtually the entire season, But, they did manage to finish strong in the league, with a (7W, 2L, 5D) record in their final 14 games while simultaneously making thier way to a Europa League final. Klopp managed to do this while dealing with several injuries, so, it would seem with enough depth and a little luck on the injury front, the Reds look a strong bet to finish higher than their eighth place position in the table in 2015/2016. From a fantasy perspective it was a bit of a mixed bag. Injuries and/or wavering form made it difficult to rely on stars like Philippe Coutinho or Daniel Sturridge week in, week out, while the defense were consistently inconsistent. Perhaps the most consistent player was Milner, who, while perhaps not capable of monster fantasy hauls in a single game, was probably their most reliable contributor over the course of the season.

The Summer So Far

Liverpool have made their share of marquee signings already this summer and they show no signs of slowing down. Perhaps the most important addition will be German goalkeeper Loris Karius. Many felt that current #1 Simon Mignolet did not meet the class necessary at the position and Karius comes in to immediately challenge for the job. After injuries and suspensions had hampered the Reds at center back a year ago, they have brought in reinforcements. Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan each have resumes that would lead one to believe they could become regulars at some point this season. The big splash thus far though has been in the attack, where the Reds spent a combined £61m to acquire Sadio Mane from Southampton and Georginio Wijnaldum from Newcastle United. Both have already shown to be potentially explosive in this league and, if they can settle in at Anfield, could help propel the Reds into one of the more formidable attacks in the league.

Jurgen Klopp has been just as busy at trimming players from his squad this summer. Kolo Toure was released while Jordan Ibe and Martin Skrtel were sold away. It seems only a matter of time before Liverpool will get Mario Balotelli off of their books and Christian Benteke looks to be in the same position. Joe Allen just departed for Stoke City as of yesterday and fellow midfielder Lucas is thought to be close to an exit. Brad Smith looks to be on the verge of joining Ibe at AFC Bournemouth as that deal is close to becoming finalized. Jon Flanagan has the option to go out on loan to Burnley to get regular playing time but the full back has yet to state his wish.

Remaining Summer Business

There may be no other club linked to a possible move for a player on a daily basis than Liverpool. Every day, it seems, a new star is potentially making the move to Anfield. Should the club part ways with Benteke, it would seem rather clear that they will want to sign a striker before the summer ends. Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings have to fight through their current reputation of being injury-prone and Klopp will no doubt want an extra option there. That said, the German boss seems to have no problem playing a false 9 4-3-3 with Roberto Firmino playing furthest forward and that is exactly what we have seem take place so far in their preseason tour.

Another position that needs to be addressed is left back. At the present time, Alberto Moreno does not really have anyone to challenge him. Joe Gomez started last season at left back but he is thought to be more naturally fit as a center back and is still working his way back from a long-term injury. Flanagan is versatile enough to play there but when Klopp likes to shift to a formation that employs wing backs, Moreno is fit for that style where Flanagan really is not. That said, there were many occasions last season where Moreno was a defensive liability. Considering the growing list of talented attackers in the squad, Liverpool would be best served in finding a left back that can provide a defensive upgrade to Moreno.

The other bit of business is for Klopp to figure out what to do with some players that are too talented to be benchwarmers. As it stands, players like Adam Lallana and Divock Origi seem to be on the outside looking in, while Lazar Markovic and Marko Grujic still need to find a path to playing time in a crowded field.

Salary Cap Superstars

Roberto Firmino – Firmino took a while to get settled in the Premier League but he looks to be the best fantasy attacking option for the coming season. His versatility should him earn regular playing time and he becomes even more appealing if he is to play furthest forward on occasion.
Philippe Coutinho – The other half of the Brazilian playmaking duo should have another fine season ahead of him. He is still only 24-years-old and this could be a breakout year for him where we see a bit more consistency in his form. When he is feeling right, he is one of the best creators in the league and can finish from just about anywhere in the final third.
Sadio Mane – Mane was coveted by Manchester United for the past year but it is Liverpool who get him. He has plenty of pace and trickery on the ball and is on a short list of midfielders who can bag a brace several times in a season. If he can fit in with his new club, he could be an absolute stud.
Daniel Sturridge – Buyer beware with Sturridge give his injury history but if the Reds fail to land a striker that can challenge him for pitch time, he should earn plenty of starts when fit. When he is healthy, he still has one of the better goal-scoring records around.
Nathaniel Clyne – Clyne looks to have the right back spot on lockdown this season and, if he can stay healthy, should make more starts than any other player on the back line. He did not produce the attacking contributions we had hoped for last season, but the potential is there and, if he can unlock it, he could emerge as one of the best fantasy defenders in the game for 2016/2017.

Draft Details

Central midfielders – As was mentioned earlier, James Milner quietly put together a very respectable fantasy season last year. He is one of those guys that is never going to excite you come draft day but he will certainly provide a manager with a serviceable player that will likely go lower in snake drafts and cheaper in auction drafts than his value should dictate. Especially crucial in draft leagues is that you want a player that starts and Milner could very well earn more starts than all the midfielders mentioned above. As a late round add, do not be afraid to think about Emre Can either. Earning starts for the German national team in Euro 2016 and playing for a German manager is only helpful for Can’s chances of playing regularly and while he may not be a prolific goal scorer, he has shown a growing confidence in shot attempts and he will help out in leagues that reward clearances, interceptions and tackles.
Beware the CB position – The center back position could be an absolute carousel this season. Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho looked to be the partnership when the summer began but Sakho has recently been a disruption to the team. Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan could emerge as regulars but reaching for either in drafts could be a disaster. Matip looks the stronger bet over the course of the season but it may be best to avoid drafting from this spot and perhaps get lucky after the season starts to pick up one of these guys that may have gone undrafted and looks to have nailed down a role.
Divock Origi – There is no clear path to playing time for Origi when the new season gets underway but there is still reason to think about scooping him up at the end of your draft because he does have potential and if the Reds have anywhere near the kind of injury woes they suffered last season, he could be a great player to own for next to nothing. Perhaps he sits on the bench the first three weeks and shows little promise of helping your team and you cut him, but somewhere along the way during the year, he is going to be a major boost to the manager that scoops him up at the right time.