Liverpool have had an inconsistent start to their 2016-2017 Premier Leauge campaign. The season began with an excellent 4-3 win at Arsenal, followed by a moral damaging 2-0 defeat against Burnley. It was followed up by a one-one draw at White Hart Lane against Tottenham. However, things took an upturn last weekend as the Reds demolished the defending Champions Leicester City by 4-1 at the newly renovated Anfield. Expectations will high from the German manager this season as he looks to mount a serious top four challenge.
The transfer business this summer left Liverpool fans with mixed feelings. Klopp did well to get a number of quality players this summer, who will definitely improve the quality of the squad but there are still two positions which are relatively weak in terms of squad depth.
Currently, Liverpool are missing a proper defensive midfielder, who can add steal to their side. Though they have the likes of Emre Can and Henderson but a tough and an experienced personnel in this region was a necessity. But what is, even more, concerning is the fact that Liverpool do not have a specialist left-back in their except Alberto Moreno, who struggled hugely last season and in some ways cost Liverpool the Europa League final. Now that the transfer window is closed, Klopp will need to find a solution from within the club. Recently he has been using James Milner as the makeshift left-back.
Although Milner has done well this season in that position, there is no doubting the fact that the English international would contribute much more to the team, if he was positioned in midfield, from where he can dictate the tempo of the game. Joe Gomez is another is who can fit in that left-back role. The 19-year-old started off brilliant last season under Brendan Rodgers before injury cut short his season. He came back in pre-season this summer only to be sidelined before the start of the season with a niggle. Although a centre-back by trade, Gomez will be more than a handy option at left-back too.
The English youngster has proven his mettle in the Championship and would be currently craving for first-team action at Anfield. With Moreno completely out of confidence and Gomez still at least a month away from full fitness, Milner is most likely to continue in that left-back position but whenever Gomez is fit, Klopp will have the option to mix things around and bring Milner back in the midfield. One feels that would be the best scenario once Joe Gomez is fit and ready for first team action.
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