Jurgen Klopp must revamp entire Liverpool defense

Jurgen Klopp would be wise to construct an entirely new Liverpool defense this summer

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp deserves a lot of credit for the progress his squad has made during his brief tenure at Anfield. He’s got his side playing inspired football and working hard for one another like Brendan Rodgers never seemed to manage.

Even with the optimism that Klopp has built, it’s still obvious that significant roster change is necessary this summer. Specifically, the German boss needs to entirely reconstruct the team’s defense during the upcoming transfer window.

Fortunately for Liverpool fans, Klopp hasn’t spent this season twiddling his thumbs and planning for the summer transfer season. He took a serious first step in rebuilding the club’s defense with the signing of Bundesliga star defender Joel Matip to a pre-contract during the January window. Matip should immediately come in as a starter in Klopp’s central defense.

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For the record, I’m a big fan of Matip and think he has what it takes to become an excellent Premier League defender. His impending acquisition will be hugely important for his new club. Even with him coming on board, Klopp still has significant work to do.

The recent revelation that Mamadou Sakho has tested positive for doping will require Klopp to purchase another starter in the central defense. Sakho has played well enough this season to give his manager the option to count on him as a starter heading into next year. His recent ban changes that situation altogether. His poor judgment will force Klopp into purchasing a partner for Matip.

Some Liverpool fans might have optimism that Martin Skrtel might enjoy a bounce back season or that Dejan Lovren will rediscover his Southampton form, but I don’t see either scenario as very likely. Skrtel’s age makes his performance more likely to continue to decline, and Lovren just doesn’t seem to have the right mental makeup to be a Premier League star. One or both of those players could find themselves shipped away from Anfield this summer.

The situation with Liverpool’s full backs isn’t as clear-cut as their needs at centre-back, but I believe Liverpool must purchase reinforcements there as well. At the very least, Klopp will need to provide cover/competition for Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno.

Both players have the talent and athleticism to be above-average Premier League regulars, but neither has played all that well this season. Moreno has posted the 10th best Whoscored.com playing average on the season and Clyne is even further down at the 14 spot. Neither rating is good enough for Liverpool to contend for a Premier League title.

Unlike the centre-back spot, Klopp may be more inclined to purchase full backs who can operate in a platoon with Clyne and Moreno. Similar to how Mauricio Pochettino rotates his full backs at Tottenham, Klopp could choose to employ the same strategy at Liverpool. That would prove a cheaper, and possible more effective strategy to get the most out of those positions for Klopp.

Liverpool fans will be scanning the tabloids to read about attacking stars the club might purchase this summer, but Klopp knows he needs to spend more time on the club’s failing defense. It’s possible fans at Anfield might see an entirely new back four when next season begins.