Klopp knows he’ll have to leave Liverpool without double midfield signing including one ‘like Steven Gerrard’
A former Liverpool striker has suggested that Jurgen Klopp may have to leave the club unless they sign up to four top players, including a specific midfield duo.
Liverpool look like a team in need of an evolution, despite coming close to a quadruple last season. On Tuesday night, they were held to a goalless draw by a Chelsea side playing their first game since the sacking of Graham Potter.
Klopp hasn’t hidden from the fact that he could have been under pressure himself if it wasn’t for Liverpool’s previous achievements during his reign. They are currently way down in eighth place in the Premier League.
Qualification for next season’s Champions League is at serious risk, which sets up an interesting summer. Liverpool will need to replenish their ranks to get back to more recognisable positions in the table.
Their midfield has come under particular scrutiny this season after a lack of investment there in the most recent transfer windows. Furthermore, some fringe players will be leaving the club in that territory.
Liverpool have been linked with plenty of midfielders to change their fortunes. Two of the most desirable targets are Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund and his England colleague Mason Mount, who was an unused substitute for Chelsea on Tuesday.
And according to ex-Liverpool forward Dean Saunders, Liverpool should be focusing their energies on signing the pair, who would make a “massive difference” to the team.
Klopp told Liverpool need Mount and Bellingham – who’s ‘like Steven Gerrard’
Saunders told talkSPORT: “No part of the team is functioning like it was. It’s just like strange how they can go from being so good to just bang average all of a sudden.
“If I was Klopp now, I’d just go Bellingham and Mount. Put them straight in that team, I think you’ll see a massive difference.
“Mount and Bellingham would make Liverpool a better team I think if you sign them both. I like Mount, he’s got a sharp brain, he can anticipate, he gets around the pitch.
“Bellingham has obviously got loads of potential. He’s a bit like Steven Gerrard, he gets into the back four and gets on the end of things.”
Without making reinforcements of that calibre, Klopp may just have to walk away from the club.
Saunders concluded: “Klopp, I think, realises he either has to probably leave, or he’s got to sign some top players, the best players. He needs three or four.”
Other than in their midfield, there have been some concerns about Liverpool’s defence, which may be another area to slightly tweak.
But the major work will likely be on improving what they have in the middle of the park.
Klopp certainly seems committed to Liverpool still, but they will have to shape the squad to be more in his image again if they are to experience the same successes they have had under him before.
