During his press-conference today Jurgen Klopp insisted that Liverpool’s defence still needs lots of work, and that fixing it for next season will be a primary target during the summer.
Whether this means on the training ground or in the transfer market isn’t specified, although we’d assume with Mamadou Sakho’s upcoming lengthy suspension and the fact the manager has already moved to bring in Joel Matip – defensive acquisitions will arrive.
“We solved a lot of problems. Set pieces were the worst thing. We needed to improve and we did,” Klopp said about Liverpool’s defence, reported in the Echo.
“When you build up a team you start with the defence. But it’s not just about speaking to the defenders. [I’m] never happy conceding goals.”
Liverpool have been strongly linked to Jonas Hector (via the Mirror), Germany’s starting left-back, as well, and with Alberto Moreno out of position for Villarreal’s goal last night, that’s another position Klopp might look to strengthen.
Kolo Toure is also out of contract in the summer, Martin Skrtel is out of favour, and with questions raised over Simon Mignolet’s ability as a no.1 goalkeeper, perhaps only the right-back spot – covered by Nathaniel Clyne and Jon Flanagan – is shored up.
Elsewhere, fans would be right to assume Klopp is after central midfield enforcements, too. He’s already secured a deal for Serbian talent Marko Grujic, while Piotr Zielinski is a well known target (via the Echo) too.