Liverpool missing top players and Klopp magic in pre-season struggles

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JULY 28: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool looks on prior to the Pre-Season Friendly match between Liverpool FC and SSC Napoli at Murrayfield on July 28, 2019 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JULY 28: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool looks on prior to the Pre-Season Friendly match between Liverpool FC and SSC Napoli at Murrayfield on July 28, 2019 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Liverpool have been missing their top players in pre-season but there has also been a notable lack of spark throughout the squad Jurgen Klopp has to work with.

It is only July so there is no need for fans to panic or have a meltdown about the lack of transfer signings. But Jurgen Klopp must have some concerns with how his Liverpool squad have handled the pre-season fixtures.

The routine wins over Tranmere Rovers and Bradford City were an easy introduction to the season warm-ups but this side has struggled once the competition has improved.

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Losses to Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and Napoli plus a draw with Sporting Lisbon have highlighted both the depth of the squad and a possible Champions League hangover.

Klopp is working without Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane who have yet to return from their summer vacations. Any manager would miss three of the best forwards in the world.

Add to that the additional loss of creativity by having Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri injured and the attacking options have a very ‘bottom half of the Premier League’ feel to it.

Divock Origi is a fine deputy and worthy of his new contract but and Rhian Brewster has huge potential but they have needed support that is absent.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has plenty of experience as an attacker but he has been honed for a midfield role under Klopp and has not found the same dynamism he displayed before his season long injury.

Ryan Kent and Harry Wilson seem like Championship stars who need much more top-level, first team experience to make a significant contribution in a Red shirt this season. Ben Woodburn looks way out of his depth.

Klopp was missing Salah, Firmino and Keita for the 4-0 win over Barcelona. While it would be foolish to make comparisons between that game and pre-season warm-ups, I expected more from this group of players who should be competing for priority to back up the front three and their individual futures at Anfield.

Missing the first choice attacking trio means we can’t make serious predictions for the season. However, if they don’t come back and hit a high level early on in the season it could be a frustrating 10 months for Kopites.