Liverpool Boss Jurgen Klopp’s Key Decisions Ahead of 2016-17 Season

Sunday’s 4-0 defeat away to Bundesliga challengers Mainz 05 drew a disappointing close to Liverpool’s pre-season preparations, with Jurgen Klopp’s former side enjoying a comfortable afternoon at the Opel Arena, underlining the work to be done as the German continues to prime the Reds for the 2016-17 campaign.

Overall, Liverpool’s summer has been a positive one, as seven new players were added to Klopp’s squad including Georginio Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane from Newcastle United and Southampton, respectively, with the latter in particular shining as the Reds thrashed Barcelona 4-0 on Saturday evening.

Klopp saw his side seal six wins and three losses over their warm-up fixtures and can now look toward the weekend’s Premier League opener away to Arsenal with renewed optimism—but still with one eye on improvement.

Speaking after the Reds’ doubleheader against Barcelona and Mainz, Klopp told reporters that he was hoping for a strong performance against the Gunners, but not the definitive performance of the season:

We could have played no pre-season games but we’ve played very good, less good or bad. You need to work and that’s what we are doing.

We will be ready for the first game, but if Arsenal was to be the best game all season, there would be something wrong with the season.

We can’t change or decide the season in one game, but we will be ready.

Though Liverpool are in decent shape ahead of Klopp’s first full campaign in the Anfield dugout, the 49-year-old will be aware he still has some key decisions to make to ensure they can challenge in the Premier League, FA Cup and Capital One Cup in 2016-17.

With some imposed and some enforced, here are the big decisions Klopp must make before the start of the new season.

Injuries

Addressing reporters at Wembley Stadium after Saturday’s exceptional performance against Barcelona, Klopp discussed the injury problems currently affecting his side.

The German saw vice-captain James Milner limp off the field just before half-time after suffering a heel injury, with the 30-year-old serving as Klopp’s deputy left-back following the departures of Brad Smith and Jon Flanagan to Bournemouth and Burnley, respectively.

With just Alberto Moreno available of his senior options on the left defensive flank, Klopp suggested he would need to find a solution:

I’m happy with the squad, but on the injury side if something happens we have to react.

We already have a few injuries in positions which aren’t too good for us, so we have to keep our eyes open. That’s absolutely clear.

Until the 31st of August something is possible for us.

Why should I say it’s over, or we’ll take another four [players]? We’ll react if we need to.

Milner joins Loris Karius (hand), Mamadou Sakho (Achilles), Lucas Leiva (hamstring), Daniel Sturridge (hip), Ovie Ejaria (groin) and Joe Gomez (Achilles) on the treatment table, with Marko Grujic (ankle) and Sheyi Ojo (back) also facing a fight for full fitness ahead of Liverpool’s trip to the Emirates Stadium.

The absences of Karius, Sakho, Milner and Sturridge are particularly frustrating, with the quartet all key players within Klopp’s Reds squad, but it is perhaps Lucas’ injury that he has highlighted most regularly.

Perhaps unlike in 2015-16, Klopp now has the strength in depth to negotiate these injuries, with Simon Mignolet operating in place of Karius, summer signing Ragnar Klavan deputising for Sakho, the likes of …

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