Just the five signings then.
Dietmar Hamann reckons Liverpool have a ‘very talented side’ but he says that it’s going to take some big changes to turn them into a top four side that makes serious noises in cup competitions again.
Just once in the last seven seasons have the club managed to achieve a top four spot and qualify for the Champions League and there’s been a trail of mediocrity left in Rafa Benitez’s wake which Luis Suarez tried his hardest to rail against.
The club have won one trophy since the Spanish boss’ exit too and on Wednesday they found themselves missing out on silverware and a return to Champions League football by losing to 3-1 to Sevilla.
If they are to return to Europe’s top competition, Liverpool legend Hamann has identified a few areas where they need to strengthen.
Prior to the Europa League final with Sevilla, the German suggested it will be a last chance for some players to show Jurgen Klopp that they have what it takes.
“You’ll find out a lot about the team in this game, how people perform under pressure,” Hamann told SportsJOE. “[Klopp] will change his mind on one or two positions – whether he needs somebody or maybe he’ll think ‘yeah, we’ll be fine there.’
“There’s talk of a goalkeeper coming in, which seems to be one of the priorities, and then obviously he needs to see what he wants to do up front. Sturridge hasn’t really featured, there’s talk about him leaving, so I think we’ll see a couple of changes.
“Maybe they could do with a centre midfielder but, in the main, I think they’ve got a very, very talented side and I don’t think it requires an awful lot.
“Obviously at the back it has to be addressed because Sakho might get a one or two-year ban, Toure’s not getting any younger so I think a centre back will be looked at and maybe the full back position. Moreno has done okay but maybe there’s somebody out there who can improve the team.”
Hamann’s Liverpool teams were never the best in the world but, Jesus, they had serious success.
That UEFA Cup triumph in 2001 involved victories over Roma and Barcelona. Their immortal Champions League success four years later doesn’t need buttered up.
There’s maybe one element of overachievment that could be compared from one decade to the last with this current team but the sides Hamann played on all had spine and a hell of a lot of it. They were much more ready to compete in the long haul than this 2016 crop.
“What we always had was a tremendous team spirit, a togetherness, and we had match winners which is what you need,” the former midfielder said. “I think it’s pretty similar with what they’ve got now in Firmino, Coutinho, in Sturridge, in Origi – they’ve got players who can make a difference in a split second.
“I’m not sure whether it’s too different but what we always had was a very good defence and we always knew we could nick a goal.
“This is what the team at the moment is lacking, defensive stability – if they want to consistently be in the Champions League. They concede far too many goals and I think this is one area where they need to improve if they want to be regulars in the top four and regulars in quarters and semi-finals of cup competitions.”
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Dietmar Hamann will be one of the panel members on RTÉ 2fm’s Game On live shows at three venues in Cork (May 30), Galway (June 2) and Dublin (June 8). For more information, visit Three.ie.
