Liverpool: No more excuses – Klopp’s spending spree needs tangible results
The signing of Alisson has pushed Liverpool’s spending this summer past the £170 million mark. Jurgen Klopp has been given everything he has asked for, and must now be judged on silverware.
In 2016, with Manchester United on the verge of signing Paul Pogba, Jurgen Klopp took the moral high ground. When asked about his rivals’ spending, he said:
"“Other clubs can go out and spend money and collect top players, yes… Do I have to do it differently to that? Actually, I want to do it differently. I would even do it differently if I could spend the money”"
So much for being different.
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Liverpool have gone on quite the spending spree this summer. Naby Keita has come in after the deal was struck last year. Fabinho has arrived with big hopes from Monaco. Xherdan Shaqiri, was astutely picked up on the cheap from relegated Stoke. Now they have solved their goalkeeper problem with the signing of Brazil’s No. 1, Alisson.
This does not even take into account the £75 million paid to Southampton for Virgil van Dijk in January. As of writing this, Klopp has far outspent any of his Premier League rivals.
It seems that Klopp has decided to forego his philosophy of just a few years ago, now that he has the money to spend, and in his defence, his signings look like good ones.
Liverpool have bolstered their midfield to title challenging levels. Their defence now boasts the most expensive centre-back and goalkeeper in history. Their forward line has depth to go with the firepower seen last season.
Time to deliver
Now that the squad has been filled with fresh, high-quality players, it is time for Klopp to deliver. His press conferences and team may be lively and entertaining, but they are yet to win anything. They may have had a fairytale run to the Champions League final, but the stark reality of the season is that they finished empty-handed.
It is fair to point to their miserable luck on that fateful night in Kiev. Perhaps if Mo Salah had not had to come off in tears at the hands of Sergio Ramos. Maybe if Loris Karius, allegedly concussed, had not picked the worst possible day to have the worst game of his career. It may well have been a different story.
But we can also look at the league table. Over the course of the season, each individual performance matters less, and overall trends influence the final standings.
Last season, Klopp’s side finished fourth, with 75 points. The year before, they finished fourth, with 76 points. Despite a record-breaking season from Salah, and the outlay on van Dijk, there was no real change in Liverpool’s position. There was no title challenge. There was no trophy.
In fact, there has not been a trophy for over six years, when Kenny Dalglish’s side prevailed against Cardiff in the League Cup final. This summer’s outlay has to change that.
This is Klopp’s squad, with his signings. He has been given time and investment, and now he needs to be judged on results.
Guardiola and Mourinho are expected to win the league title, understandably so given the money they have spent. It is time to add Klopp’s name to that list.