It’s been 28 years since Liverpool last won the league title. While this season has been another one of progress for Liverpool with them reaching the Champions League final, the next season surely has to be the one where the Reds mount a significant title challenge.
Jurgen Klopp was hired to mould Liverpool into title challengers but the German has failed so far, with his team finishing 4th this season.
Liverpool have a very good squad and under Klopp’s management, they have played an exciting and attractive brand of football all throughout the season. If they are to remain consistent next term, a couple of quality signings would be definitely needed.
So with that in mind, here are three players Klopp should look to sign this summer to end the 28-year long drought for a Premier League title.
Jack Butland (Stoke City)
Stoke City were relegated from the Premier League this season, meaning that some of their best players are naturally expected to seek a move away from the BET365 stadium. One of Stoke’s best players is their goalkeeper Jack Butland, who has already been a transfer target for the Reds.
At Anfield, Loris Karius, after some patchy performances in goal, has made the No.1 spot his own, while Simon Mignolet is set to leave the club in the summer. That makes the signing of a new gloveman so important for Liverpool.
Strong, imposing, young and commanding, Butland has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. Stoke’s relegation means he would be available for a cut-price deal and the Reds must try snapping him up as soon as possible.
Butland would be a significant signing and would provide healthy competition, which would keep Karius on his toes.
Nabil Fekir (Lyon)
Fekir has enjoyed a fantastic season at Lyon, guiding the club to 3rd place in the table with a game to spare. The player has already been linked with a £62m move to Liverpool.
The Frenchman is fantastic on the ball, uses his body very well and can play anywhere in the attack. He has been a constant source of goals and assists this season for Lyon, with his dribbling skills and set-piece technique turning heads in Europe.
Liverpool lost Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in January and Klopp decided not to spend the cash on a like-to-like replacement. This summer transfer window could be a chance for Klopp to get a replacement for the departed Coutinho and Fekir fits the bill perfectly at Anfield.
Jean Michael Seri (OGC Nice)
Gutsy and aggressive, Nice’s midfield enforcer Jean Michael Seri would certainly suit Klopp’s style of play.
For all the thrust of their attacking players, the Reds lack a dominant presence at the base of their midfield. Since Javier Mascherano left Liverpool for Barcelona, the club have a lacked a proper defensive midfielder capable of shielding the backline without much fuss.
The protection offered by a midfielder like Seri would be invaluable for the Liverpool defence that has looked porous and exposed this season.
Seri is a deep-lying playmaker with fantastic crossing abilities and defensive skills. While Jordan Henderson has been decent, the Liverpool skipper has lacked the aggression needed in a proper defensive midfielder. Seri would provide that, adding a lot of flair to Liverpool’s midfield.
If the Reds acquire the services of Seri from Nice in the summer transfer window, it would be money well spent.