The risk of Klopp’s transfer waiting game

Presumably, somewhere in Merseyside, Klopp looked on smugly at the frantic reporting on Sky Sports News. Sipping his beer, he probably smirked at the familiar chaos. Everyone remembered Harry Redknapp for a moment. Tottenham and Everton were once again preparing themselves to crack upon a rather large piggy bank, this time £30m for Sissoko, a figure even more alarming than the apparent insanity of £25m for Lallana way back in 2014. And, the closest Arsenal got to signing an out-and-out striker was a near-miss with Victor Anichebe. Not much to miss out on then?

Source: liverpoolfc.com

But not every player moving to or from the Premier League was a Sissoko or an Anichebe. Bournemouth somehow stole Wilshere on loan. Arsenal got Mustafi. Leicester gambled on Slimani. Chelsea gambled again on Luiz. Torino stole Hart. And quite interestingly, West Ham picked up a familiar face in the form of Alvaro Arbeloa – a player many Liverpool fans cherished, and would surely cherish again as vital backup despite concerns of his performances at Real Madrid.

And, yet Klopp sat back, either content with his squad or unsure that any signings would necessarily improve a team. Indeed, January is perhaps regarded by most these days as the more important window. Although it is inherently risky to sit back and purchase players when required, often weaknesses in the squad will not reveal themselves till later on in the season. Lest we not forget Coutinho, Sturridge, and Suarez were all signed in the winter of recent campaigns.

Unfortunately, these deficiencies appear apparent, obvious, and a little overwrought by the end of August not, December. Klopp’s waiting game, appears to occur at the detriment, and absolute frustration, of the tiring general fan base who believe a starting left-back and defensive-minded midfielder are surely needed. What’s made all the more frustrating is other clubs risking signings in order to avoid stagnation.

These issues also become more prescient with Klopp’s now vocal distrust of Sakho who he has said needs to simply “grow up”. Moreover, his displeasure with Sturridge, who he refuses to believe can truly impact the game in his current state. What is perhaps of the most chagrin to many fans, and hopefully to Klopp himself, is that these two players are surely regarded amongst Liverpool’s strongest on paper and their absence leaves a significant shortage in areas once thought covered.

It is now however rather apparent in this sense that we know what Klopp doesn’t want. Natural width seems to be of little concern, with Markovic’s exit being of little surprise. Balotelli’s antics were never considered, and Luis Alberto was deemed not good enough for minutes and the subsequent improvement it would afford… let it be said Klopp’s indecision or cautiousness in additions to the squad is surely matched by his decisiveness in getting rid of supposed ‘dead wood’. In turn Liverpool have now amounted approximately £11.1m in profit from sales this window despite large outgoings, including £30m for Southampton’s Mane.

Source: liverpoolfc.com

In three seasons this methodology saw Klopp win the league with Dortmund – significant tactical developments, and largely only minor personal changes enabled him to configure a streamlined squad primed to beat the very best, consistently. Many fans would agree that in three seasons a similar success for Liverpool would in fact be Champions League football rather than a title. With a far stronger squad and perhaps a cup win being an equal achievement, considering the incomparable challenges of the chaotic Premier League, and it’s many vying rivals.

Yet simply mapping this supposed winning trajectory of Klopp’s improvement to Dortmund obviously appears to be rather problematic. This approach in blindingly accepting Klopp’s decisions negates and ignores his mistakes at Dortmund, and the very inclusiveness of football, that we all have a say. Certainly, Jurgen is the right man for the job, but that simply does not make him impervious to criticism. Even when thinking optimistically Liverpool football club may have been a bystander in the latter part of transfer window for good reason by avoiding panic buys and saving vital finances – yet it will undoubtedly cost us points before Christmas.

This surely points to the larger question at hand, how much time would fans give Klopp in the case of another unsatisfactory season? Some of the best managers, such as the evil ones that also manage men in red, have a life-span of just three years. Able to implement quick changes, win trophies and then sink dramatically, ‘special ones’ have a habit of burning out quickly rather than fading away.

There is no question that Liverpool fans would rather take the risk, and build a legacy with Klopp. Yet, no legacy can surely be built on the foundations we currently appear to have. Let us all pray that Milner doesn’t get injured, Moreno picks up form, and Sturridge convinces everyone once again of his talent, because at this stage a successful season number three looks a long long way away, despite putting all the trust we can muster in Klopp’s waiting game.