Jurgen Klopp has overseen 431 games to date as the reds manager and recorded a point per game tally of 2.05. This is more than during his previous stints at Borussia Dortmund (1.90) and 1.FSV Mainz 05 (1.51). Make no mistake, the 2022/23 season negatively affected this stat as his points-per-game average fell to just 1.77 in all competitions.
It was a disappointing year that saw Liverpool miss out on Champions League football, instead they will compete in the Europa League next season. The loss of prestige of not being in the Champions League is immense and it can influence the decisions of potential signings.
Nevertheless, I don’t think it will emasculate Liverpool’s negotiating position in the market. The transfer of Alexis Mac Allister is proof of this. The Athletic reported earlier in May that the 24-year-old midfielder wanted a move away from Brighton to seek Champions League football but it seems like the calibre of Merseysiders along with the prospect of taking part in the rebuilding of the team was enough to lure him to Anfield.
Former fan favourite Luis Garcia has hailed the transfer of the Argentine international but insisted that more reinforcements are needed if they’re to challenge on all four fronts next season.
"“I think it’s a very good addition (Mac Allister),” Garcia told ESPN (via HITC) “I could see another one arriving if it’s possible. I think Liverpool needs a good fresh-up for facing everything that is going to come.”“I think it’s very important for the club to understand that if you want to try to challenge for every single trophy, you have seen three or four important players have departed, then you need to bring the same standard and it’s very high. They left the standards very high.”“I think Mac Allister is a very good addition. But I think another one at the back and another up front, it could also be very important.”"
I believe Garcia was right to stress the importance of further additions. Every team that is eager to compete for major trophies needs to have a lot of quality players in their ranks and build a deep squad. The arrival of Alexis Mac Allister is a good sign but he will not be Liverpool’s only midfield transfer. Another one or two midfielders are needed.
The other area that the Spaniard thinks the reds need strengthening is the back. With Joel Matip out of contract in 2024 and Joe Gomez’s inconsistency interchanged with injuries that’s a real recipe for headache. One thing is sure – the transfer business is not done yet and we can definitely expect some transfer announcement before the 2023/24 gets under way.