Cast your mind back to the last international break. Although it was just over a month ago, so much has changed since the final round of EURO 2016 qualification, with Liverpool an almost unrecognisable club.
With the tired Brendan Rodgers axed and replaced by Jurgen Klopp, there is a new ‘feel good’ factor at Anfield, and even the loss at home to Crystal Palace – the German’s only defeat in seven games – has done little to dent the optimism on Merseyside.
It’s still early days, but it’s clear to see that the football being played is more effective than witnessed during Rodgers’ latter weeks, with confidence a big factor. Ultimately that is the only difference at the moment, with Klopp working with the players he was left by the Northern Irishman, and with the January transfer window looming large, there have been, naturally, a host of links with potential additions.
Bundesliga players have made up the bulk of the speculation, but does the 48-year-old tactician really need to look back to Germany for major additions? Okay, one or two names may be needed to add a little more zip to the side, but Klopp actually has plenty of options at his finger tips already.
Proof that he’s looking at using what he has has emerged with reports that Jose Enrique is once again a first-team player after being axed by Rodgers, and with that in mind here are FIVE more names that show signings are not a complete necessity…
Dejan Lovren
Say it quietly, but Lovren has been much improved since Klopp’s arrival. During his albeit brief, outings, the much-maligned Croatian has appeared to be going back to basics, and that’s not a bad thing. It always felt like Rodgers was asking too much of the £20m signing from Southampton, whose game is not tailored to playing neat passes out of defence when under pressure. It could be argued that a defender worth such a fee should be able to play a bit of football, but the mistakes bred more mistakes and before fans, or Lovren himself, knew it a snowball of horror was rolling onto the pitch each weekend.
With Mamadou Sakho missing until the New Year fuel has been poured on the ‘new centre-back signing’ fire, but should Klopp be able to get Lovren’s confidence back, there’s no reason the player that impressed so much at Southampton will not come to the fore again.
Jordan Rossiter
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A controversial ‘three games in a week’ run in the England U-19 didn’t only erode the already weak relationship between the FA and Liverpool, but also ruled the teenager out of action with a hamstring injury. The 18-year-old has, as a result, been out of Klopp’s plans since mid October, but as the winter rolls on he’s getting nearer and nearer to full fitness, which will come as a boost for the German. Although still a little raw, the Merseyside-born midfielder has already drawn comparisons with Steven Gerrard thanks to his spiky edge and energy the centre of the pitch, and with Klopp known to be a manager who values passion for the club as well as technical ability, a link with the local community is sure to be valuable to him in the long run. It’s a bit early to talk Rossiter up as the saviour of youth football at Liverpool, but there’s no denying his talent, and it would be a shame to see another signing jetted in ahead of him so soon.
Joao Carlos Teixeira
Sheer weight of numbers means that the Portuguese playmaker went un-registered for the Europa League this season, but he has been given a look-in under Klopp already. During the League Cup win over Bournemouth the 22-year-old was one of a host of fringe players given a go, and really did impress as part of the attacking midfield set-up. His neat movement and technical ability came to the fore when his clever back-heeled effort at goal resulted in Nathaniel Clyne’s winner, and the confidence this is likely to have given him could ensure that he kicks on and gets game time as the fixture list swells through December and into January. Given that he’s not much older than some regulars in the Reds’ first-team, one gets the feeling that this may be Teixeira’s last, and perhaps only, chance to make an impact at Anfield, so Klopp may be wise to give him a go rather than make an addition to his already plentiful ranks in January, especially as he has Lazar Markovic due to return next summer.
Connor Randall
Another handed his full debut against Bournemouth, Randall may well have found himself in the squad due to necessity, but he did impress against the Cherries. Injuries to the likes of Joe Gomez and Jon Flanagan and the frankly bizarre decision to loan Andre Wisdom to Norwich has left the Reds with only one recognised right-back in Nathaniel Clyne, which makes Randall the second in command. The 20-year-old offers the energy and drive Klopp is known to favour from his wide defenders, so he may just about get the chances he needs to push on due to circumstance. It’s been shown in the past at Liverpool, and many other clubs, that full-backs don’t always have to be the best players on the pitch and can get by by working hard and keeping the shape, which bodes well for Randall as he looks to break through the ceiling between youth and senior action on Merseyside.
Jon Flanagan
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Almost a forgotten man at Anfield, Flanagan was a key member of the ‘so near, yet so far’ title challenge of 2013/14, but a knee problem picked up on the very last day of that campaign has kept him out of action ever since. The 22-year-old has been under the knife to solve his issues, and the hard work appears to be paying off with his long-awaited return scheduled for next month. Such an absence means that ‘Flanno’ is sure to be on the peripheries for a while as he gets back up to speed, but the 22-year-old’s ability to play in either full-back position may make his comeback feel like a ‘new signing’ for Klopp, who is criminally short of options on the left and right side of defence due to injuries.
Flanagan may not be the most technically adept defender and will not offer the pace of Alberto Moreno, but he’s a solid, reliable and young option with Merseyside heritage, which will make him appealing to his new manager.