Liverpool: What to do to challenge for the title next season

With Liverpool’s Champions League run coming to a heartbreaking end against Real Madrid, it is time to look forward to next season.

As the dust settles on the disastrous night in Kiev, Liverpool can reflect on a season where they have somehow looked both world-class, and ordinary.

Their forward trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane have been irresistible. Their defence, however, always looked on the verge of a mistake. At the end of 2017/18 campaign, Liverpool finished 4th with 75 points. This is the same spot they were in at the close of the 2016/17 season, however that year they earned a point more.

A record-breaking season from Salah, and his wonderful chemistry with Firmino and Mane, has papered over several cracks in the squad. Liverpool will be desperate to challenge Manchester City for that elusive Premier League crown. This promises to be a busy summer on Merseyside.

Solve the goalkeeping problem

Ever since Pepe Reina left the club, Liverpool have faced problems between the posts. They need to find a solution, and soon.

Jurgen Klopp’s options in the goalkeeper position was laid bare against Real in Kiev. Loris Karius, signed from Mainz, was horribly exposed. It is unlikely that his confidence will ever fully recover from that horror show. The man he usurped in the starting eleven, Simon Mignolet, has also looked unconvincing.

This level of uncertainty has led to confidence issues in defence. The centre backs stop trusting the goalkeeper behind them, and this is something that opposition forwards can prey on. Klopp was sympathetic towards Karius after the Champions League final, and has praised the young German at every turn, but to persist with the pair of keepers at the club would be foolish.

There are upgrades available in the transfer market. AS Roma’s stopper, Alisson, is impressive, and is going to be Brazil’s number one at the World Cup. Jack Butland should be available for a reasonable price after Stoke City’s relegation from the Premier League.

Karius and Mignolet are both Top Flight level goalkeepers, but not the pair who can positively impact a club of Liverpool’s ambition. Klopp has erred in sticking with them for this long, and now he has to make a decision.