Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side have looked like a team that can well and truly challenge for the Premier League title this season with most of their new signings along with the old squad contributing to the team.
But despite all the good things that we have seen from Liverpool this season, there still seems to be something missing from the German manager's squad.
Klopp surely has all the abilities and tactics to build a brand new Liverpool team for the new era. Even though the Liverpool manager seems quite happy with his current squad, he would have loved to have had a couple of players who represented the legendary club in the past. The Reds might look threatening already with their existing squad, but had Klopp access to some of these great names, who knows what could happend?
#1 Robbie Fowler
Born and brought up in Liverpool, Robbie Fowler is one the most popular if not the best strikers the club has ever produced. A true scouser, Fowler came through the Liverpool academy to emerge as one the finest footballers since the dawn of the English Premier League.
The Englishman scored 64 goals before the age 21 in the Premier League and was considered one the best English strikers of his generation.
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Why would Klopp want him? Well, Fowler is known for his ability to convert chances into goals. Liverpool strikers like Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino have failed to convert several good chances in the last few weeks.
Along with impeccable accuracy, brilliant technique and an eye for goal, Fowler could have added something special to Klopp’s Liverpool. “God”, as he was nicknamed by the Reds fans, still remains a deity to the Merseyside club.
#2 Javier Mascherano
The 32-year-old Argentine international is one of Liverpool football club’s unsung heroes despite making 132 appearances for the club under former Reds manager Rafael Benitez. In a team which had notable superstars like Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, and Xabi Alonso, the Argentine midfielder had an unnoticeable purpose.
A formidable barrier in case of a breach in the defence, he added tenacity, consistency and desire to the team qualities that Jurgen Klopp would love to have had in his current squad, given the constant defensive slip ups they face.
Mascherano formed a good partnership with Gerrard and was abtlly supported by Jamie Carragher behind him. He was a world class buy for Liverpool, costing less than £20 million and the crunching challenges he would put in would definitely have had Klopp beating his chest in joy. There is no doubt that Mascherano would have walked into Liverpool’s starting XI under Klopp.
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#3 Kevin Keegan
One the greatest ever Liverpool players to wear the No.7 jersey, Kevin Keegan also known as the ‘Mighty Mouse’ was known for his hard work and relentless running on the field. Jurgen Klopp would have loved to play him every game if he had the chance and the German manager’s famed gegenpressing game would have suited a player of Keegan’s ability.
With the incredible stamina that the Englishman possessed, Keegan could run for the whole 90 minutes, hassling and haranguing the opposition’s defence. The former two-time Ballon d’Or winner also had a physical presence to him, which is a bonus just in case Klopp wants his striker to hold up play.
Keegan would have added a new dimension to Klopp’s current squad and could have brought back the club’s past glory having won nine major trophies with the club including the Champions League in 1977.
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#4 Steven Gerrard
The current crop of players Jurgen Klopp has at his disposable might be some of the most talented footballers on this planet or at least have the potential to be some of the best. But there is one tiny little chink in his squad - a leader!
Steven Gerrard was not just an exceptional footballer but also an inspiring leader; he single-handedly inspired Liverpool to some of their greatest achievements in the club’s history. The man inspired his boyhood team to major trophies including the FA Cup and the Champions League in the past. Although Klopp himself is an inspiration for his players, the current Liverpool squad could definitely use an inspirational figure in the team as Steven Gerrard.
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Apart from his leadership skills, Gerrard could play accurate long balls, spectacular free-kicks, and the magical goals; Stevie G would have added that extra bit of passion and inspiration to Klopp’s team during his prime.
#5 Luis Suarez
Keeping aside the biting, the theatrics or even the alleged racial slurs, Luis Suarez is undoubtedly one of the greatest ever signings made by Liverpool. A natural centre-forward, Suarez had the hunger for goals every time he stepped onto the field. Forget Klopp, any football manager in the world would love to have the Uruguayan in his team.
‘El Pistolero’ as the Kopites fondly called him is one those rare strikers with a natural instinct for the goal. He, along with Daniel Sturridge formed a deadly partnership in their 2013 title challenge under Brendan Rodgers. Klopp loves a player who never gives up till the end and Suarez is that and more.
The current Barcelona forward almost led Liverpool the one trophy that they have been craving for the last two decades and had he played under Klopp he could have finished the job he set out to do in the last season he played for the Reds. Forget the rest of the players on this list, just adding Suarez into Klopp’s current Liverpool squad would bring shivers down the spine of even the best defenders in the world.
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