Jurgen Klopp has made Liverpool a better team during his short tenure at Anfield so far, though even the lovable German could use a hand as he tries to mount a serious challenge on the top four.
Clearly, he can call on some excellent players on Merseyside, but the unbalanced state of the side can not be underestimated.
The decision to appoint him as Brendan Rodgers’ successor was based on far more than his (largely) excellent record in the transfer market, though this summer will represent the first real chance he gets to stamp his authority on the Reds.
Members of the current squad are clearly feeling the benefits of working with the former Borussia Dortmund coach, with the likes of Adam Lallana and Mamadou Sakho showing a marked improvement.
Still, the nature of summer transfer business naturally has fans and pundits alike waiting with baited breath to see what avenue Klopp goes down.
Having worked with a number of top players during his time in Dortmund, there are obvious links to Anfield this summer. While not all may be applicable, the magnitude of Klopp’s name will surely help him lure reasonably big names.
Considering all this, here are FIVE stars Liverpool should target to make them genuine top four contenders.
JONAS HECTOR
The left-back berth has proved to be a problem area for Liverpool in recent years, with current incumbent Alberto Moreno struggling to convince.
There’s a relative dearth in top class options, though Cologne defender Jonas Hector could provide some welcome relief.
The Germany international bucks the trend of modern day operators somewhat. He’s more defensive minded than many of his peers, preferring to harry the opposing winger than spring forward.
He makes around 2.6 tackles and 2.4 interceptions per 90 mins of Bundesliga action, giving steel to any backline.
While he’s more sound when tasked with defending than some of the others on the continent, it’s not as if the German lacks any remanence of attacking enterprise.
Chipping in with three assists this term, he would surely be a vast upgrade on Moreno.
Crucially, the 25-year old is strong in the air and could potentially help Liverpool finally sort out their issue when defending corners.
MARIO GOTZE
Naturally with a manager the stature of Jurgen Klopp, there are going to be links with players he used to work with. However, it’s not as simple as that when it comes to Mario Gotze.
The likes of Mats Hummels, Marco Reus and Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng have all starred under the 48-year old, but are currently out of Liverpool’s league.
So, what makes a move for Gotze, a regular for the world champions and a Champions League quality player, different? Well, the 23-year old enjoyed a closer relationship with the Reds boss, recently revealing the two are still in contact.
Any deal may sound speculative, but perhaps Klopp really does hold the key in this particular prospective swoop. The Bayern Munich playmaker emerged under his tutelage and their time at Dortmund brought both men to the forefront of European football.
Simply put, the World Cup winner would be an excellent addition for the Reds. His fluidity across the frontline would be a joy to watch with the likes of Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, he could form part of one of the most varied and vibrant attacks in the league.
SOFIANE FEGHOULI
Liverpool lack natural wide options, with only Jordon Ibe currently available as an orthodox option. Though £20m Serbian Lazar Markovic is due to return from his loan spell in Turkey this summer, it is still certainly an area that can be improved upon.
Valencia winger Sofiane Feghouli will see his contract with the La Liga giants soon run out and could provide an effective remedy. Though he’s no Marco Reus, the Algerian winger is tenacious enough to fit into Klopp’s demanding physical style. Tireless with and without the ball, the 26-year-old would provide the necessary graft in wide areas to allow the two majestic Brazilians a free role to drift inside.
That’s not to mention his obvious quality in the final third, creating space and dribbling up and down either flank.
SAIDO BERAHINO
It would be nigh on impossible for Liverpool to go out and purchase a genuine upgrade on a fully fit Daniel Sturridge this summer.
Despite the multitude of injury problems that have dogged him this season, the England international remains one of the most clinical finishers in Europe.
However, what they can bring into the squad, is someone to replace him effectively. Christian Benteke hasn’t worked out and represents too much of an adjustment in the absence of Klopp’s star centre-forward.
While Saido Berahino is clearly not in Sturridge’s class just yet, the 22-yearold West Brom star would be provide a strong back-up option, as well as realistic competition.
He’s energetic, able to drag defenders out of position and is improving on his finishing touch, which already borders on lethal.
With just a year to go on his deal with the Baggies, he would represent an ideal alternate to Sturridge.
TIMO HORN
Simon Mignolet may have penned a new five-year-deal earlier this year, though contracts clearly don’t mean an awful lot in modern day football.
The cynic would even suggest the club’s decision to hand him one is merely to increase his sell on value when an improvement is ultimately brought in.
The Belgian is a fine shot-stopper, though it’s everything else that lets him down. Surely, to harbour any realistic aspirations on improving a leaky backline, Klopp must wield the axe between the sticks.
Timo Horn, the second Cologne player and third German in this list, has been touted as a potential target this summer. The 22-year old is still improving and is by no means the finished article, though would be an upgrade on Mignolet.
He commands his penalty area better than Belgian, while matching him in terms of athletic ability to pull off saves. His distribution may be a tad worse, though he has a much larger scope for improvement.
Reportedly available for around £6.5m, Horn could be the best option available to the Reds this summer.