The first two games for Liverpool show that there still needs to be two additional additions.

The first two games for Liverpool show that there still needs to be two additional additions

The Reds beat Bournemouth at home on Saturday after drawing at Chelsea, but there is still room for improvement.

As Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp walked out onto the field for the first time, touching the iconic This Is Anfield sign. Towering behind him was the half-completed new Main Stand, a metaphor for the reconstruction project he had on his hands back in 2015.

Eight years later, Klopp ought to be making his Anfield debut this weekend in front of the stadium’s largest audience since the 1960s and a newly renovated Anfield Road Stand.

Instead, the construction’s delays serve as a metaphor for Klopp’s “rebooted” Liverpool, which should have advanced more quickly than it has.

Liverpool’s failure to properly develop Klopp’s team this summer mirrors that of Anfield’s off-field construction after the main contractor filed for administration this week.

Everyone can see the issues, both on and off the field. Forget ‘things we’ve learnt’ pieces; every Liverpool fan knew the team needed to buy a holding midfielder and a left-sided center-back before the new season began, but neither player showed up in time.

Mac Allister joined a select group of Liverpool players who have been dismissed on their home debut, which only includes Joe Cole from 2010 and Darwin Nunez from just last season. Although the Argentine appeared dejected as he exited the field, nobody in the crowd is anticipating a negative future for him.

Endo’s ability to tackle, perform dirty work, and, in Klopp’s words, “win challenges and pass the ball from A to B” will be of great assistance to Mac Allister.

Dominik Szoboszlai, the third player in Klopp’s revamped midfield, was the topic of discussion among fans in the pubs near Anfield following the game. The new £60 million acquisition demonstrated his talent in an outstanding home debut.

His shot had more than a hint of an ex-Liverpool No. 8 about it when it rebounded for Jota to score the third goal for the home team. Having a robust, strong, lively right-sided midfielder was a significant improvement over last season, when Jordan Henderson’s laborious play in that position became the norm for supporters.

After the game, Klopp said, “We had to hold him back a little bit because he was the only one who really felt like he had power for more.” “The overall level of performance he displayed since he

The bad news for Klopp is that he won’t be able to use his new midfield trio until at least September 24th, with Mac Allister suspended for the matches against Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Wolves.

The manager made a hint that they would contest the red card, but the chances of it happening are exceedingly slim.

It is a criticism of Liverpool’s shoddy summer transfer work that Klopp won’t be able to use Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, players signed before the Reds resumed preseason training in early July, alongside a real holding midfielder.

Between Al-Attihad’s offer for Fabinho and Liverpool bringing in a replacement, 35 days passed. At that time, Liverpool had the opportunity and obligation to sign Romeo Lavia, a player with whom they had been associated even before Saudi Arabia’s interest in Fabinho.

The 19-year-old was a signing that should have been made this summer despite the fact that he would not have been the polished product given his undeniable potential and native status.

Liverpool ultimately decided on a relatively stop-gap arrival in Endo. While he may be able to work for a few more years, it would be ideal if he wasn’t the only specialized defensive midfielder moving to Anfield in August.

The failure to bolster the defense, though, is maybe even more worrisome. Although the Liverpool back four had started 26 games together over the past three seasons, they didn’t seem at ease for the first 10 minutes.

In possession, the new strategy of switching to a back three is not without its problems. The method also undermines Andy Robertson’s finest qualities as a marauding, attacking full-back, as the gaps between Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Robertson are frequently far too large.

Robertson’s game is constrained and his defensive frailties are exposed, but for Liverpool this season, losing Robertson is not worth considering because Kostas Tsimikas is a much worse option. that no new left-sided center-back has been added

It is far from ideal and does not foster competition for positions or allow for rotation when there is absolutely no rotation in defense and the same four will start whenever they are available.

These first two games haven’t revealed anything about Liverpool; rather, they’ve just served to highlight the need for reinforcements at the left center-back and midfield positions, which is still the case with less than a fortnight left in the summer transfer market.