The current lockdown could not have come at a worse time for Liverpool. Facing what would have been their first Premier League title, the Reds have been stopped agonisingly short in their quest for glory. As a whole, their season couldn’t have gone much better – just one loss and one draw in 29 games left Liverpool 25 points ahead of second-placed Manchester City as the pandemic spread.
Before the season began, Liverpool were 13/5 to win the title, but, extraordinarily, they were not the favourites as Manchester City stood at 4/6. That soon paled into insignificance as the Reds opened up a gargantuan lead at the top of the league. In fact, you can still bet on Liverpool to lift the title without having to play another game, with those latest odds coming in at 7/2. But, it’s hardly the circumstances that Jurgen Klopp and his men would have wanted to win the first Premier League title at Anfield.
So, with an almost-perfect season, it could well be difficult to identify what Liverpool and Klopp need to do ahead of 2021. But, even this Liverpool squad can be improved upon.
Head into the market for a striker
Whilst Liverpool have far from struggled in front of goal this season, they have, however, scored less goals than Manchester City who have been able to call on world-class strikers in the shape of Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus.
Despite playing more minutes in the Premier League than any other frontman in the Liverpool side, Roberto Firmino has netted just 11 times. Mo Salah and Sadio Mane have, inevitably, stolen the headlines with 20 and 16 goals respectively, but with the service given by this duo as well as other creative players such as wingbacks Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, it is surprising that the Brazilian’s tally is not greater.
Of course, Firmino is a superb player for the Reds and is often labelled as one of the greatest number 9s currently in the world. But, the Brazilian has been linked with a move away. If that move materialises then Klopp can only count on back-up Divock Origi or play some kind of false 9 system with Salah or Mane up top.
When given a chance in front of goal, Origi has not disappointed with crucial goals in the Champions and Premier League proving his worth. Yet, another striker is a necessity, even if Firmino’s move does not materialise.
The Werner takes it all
The most powerful rumour circulating around Anfield currently is that of RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner. Over 70 goals in nearly 120 games makes Werner’s prowess in front of goal better than Firmino’s. Plus, the German international is four years younger than the Brazilian, making him a more than adequate replacement.
If the potent attacking trio is split up, then Werner appears to be perfectly suited to Klopp’s style of play. And, the German connection is likely to enhance the speed of which the striker will settle in. Werner’s impact in his native Germany has been colossal – he became the youngest player to reach 50, 100, 150 and 200 appearances in the Bundesliga during his time at Stuttgart and now Leipzig.
That, in itself, says it all about what kind of player Liverpool would be getting. One with such a wealth of experience at a relatively young age would be more than ready for the bright lights of the Premier League. And, as the odds shorten, it’s becoming increasingly likely Werner will be in a Reds shirt in 2021.
