Coach Jürgen Klopp reinvented Liverpool

Dominik Szoboszlai

The Hungarian knows how to win against LASK: He faced the athletes six times with Salzburg, who brought the then 16-year-old for their youth team in 2017 – in the five wins he scored two goals and prepared four more. In the past six seasons he has been a title guarantee: four championship titles and three cup victories with Salzburg were followed by two DFB Cup triumphs with Leipzig. Liverpool pulled the release clause in Szoboszlai’s €70 million contract in the summer. At the Reds he is responsible for the genius flashes in a more defensive role than before.

Market value: 50 million euros

Luis Diaz

The Colombian is one reason why Liverpool sold Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022: the striker has the ability to be a better version of Mane. Diaz doesn’t avoid a duel, is incredibly strong in running, skilled at pressing, he leaves defenders standing in rows while dribbling and is a goal threat in all offensive positions – if he’s fit. Last season he had to miss six months due to a knee injury.

Market value: 75 million euros

Darwin Nunez

The elemental force in attack is 1.87 meters tall. Uruguay’s team striker made his breakthrough at Benfica Lisbon, from where the “Reds” brought him in for 80 million euros a year ago. In his first appearance in the test against Leipzig, Nunez scored four goals in 40 minutes. The style of play is reminiscent of his compatriots Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani, and he brings his explosiveness into play not only in the center of the attack.

Market value: 65 million euros

Alexis Mac Allister

The world champion was an overlooked hero in Argentina’s triumph: Lionel Messi shone – also because the 24-year-old was a key figure behind the captain. The son of former team defender Carlos Mac Allister is extremely intelligent and can enliven any position in midfield with his dynamism. His instinctive pressing makes him perfect for Klopp’s style – with a transfer fee of 42 million euros to Brighton & Hove, he was almost a bargain in the summer.

Market value: 65 million euros

Cody Gakpo

The Dutch team striker’s star rose at the World Cup in Qatar, and immediately afterwards Liverpool paid Eindhoven 42 million euros for the offensive player. Nunez and Diaz win their duels with force, Gakpo is more light-footed: with the strong first contact he often lets his opponents run into space. With his feel for the ball and overview, he is not only an enforcer, but also a threader. What he needs to work on is aggressiveness and toughness in duels – no wonder given that he only weighs 76 kilograms and is 1.93 meters tall.

Market value: 55 million euros

The upheaval

Last season was a mess for Liverpool’s expectations: fifth place was only enough for the Europa League. Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino and James Milner, key players on the way to the 2019 Champions League title, were released. In addition to new additions, the gaps were also filled by homegrown players; striker Ben Doak, a 17-year-old Scot, is in the Europa League squad. The defense remained unchanged: Virgil van Dijk is the boss in front of goalkeeper Alisson, Andrew Robertson is the long-time runner on the left, and right defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is injured.