How Jurgen Klopp Is Reshaping Liverpool’s Attack Ahead of 2016/17 Season

Every summer, supporters—like managers—will analyse their team’s squad and ponder which positions need strengthening the most during the transfer window.

For years now, Liverpool supporters have yearned for a new left-back and some sort of holding/defensive midfielder. Arguably, they’ve been the positions of need for six years now, since Javier Mascherano departed for Barcelona.

During that time, many left-backs have been acquired—from Paul Konchesky to Alberto Moreno—but none have convinced. Left-back has been a problem position at Anfield for two decades now, with only John Arne Riise ever establishing himself as a solid option but one who still had defensive weaknesses.

Alas, so far this summer, Jurgen Klopp has made seven signings at Liverpool, and none of them are the aforementioned left-back or holding midfielder the Reds’ squad needs.

Klopp has refused to rule out further signings before the transfer window closes at the end of this month, meaning a left-back in particular could still arrive through the doors at Melwood.

“The final word is 31 August. Until then you have to be ready to do something on the selling side or the buying side,” explained Klopp, per the Express’ Joe Short. “Maybe one or two things can happen.”

Having failed so far to address these two problem positions, supporters may feel concerned ahead of the new campaign, but what Klopp has done with the signings he has made is make Liverpool a far stronger proposition in the spine of the team.

New goalkeeper Loris Karius will provide competition for Simon Mignolet, while Alex Manninger will bring valuable experience on the training ground while acting as third-choice ‘keeper. Both are smart additions for another area that desperately needed attention.

The two new centre-backs, Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan, provide different qualities, with Matip expected to battle with Dejan Lovren on the right side at the heart of the Reds’ defence and Klavan to compete with Mamadou Sakho for the left side.

“He is a left-footed player so will give us extra balance,” said Klopp of Klavan after his arrival from Augsburg, per James Carroll of Liverpool’s official website.

Where that trio of defensive signings fit in is pretty straightforward, but it’s as we look at Klopp’s attacking signings that things become more interesting.

The arrival of Sadio Mane certainly fills a void in the squad—adding a wide player who offers goals and pace. Only youngsters Jordon Ibe and Sheyi Ojo provided an option as a winger last season, with Ibe now moved on to Bournemouth and Ojo potentially heading out on loan.

Mane has been one of the consistent performers during pre-season, occupying the right-forward role in Klopp’s attack, with the manager shifting from his traditionally …

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