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Jurgen Klopp has built an extraordinary team at Liverpool. It was just a matter of time before Liverpool would win major honors under Klopp. The team is filled with world-class talent across the length of the field.
Player by player, it is hard to find an equally strong team in Europe when it comes to the starting eleven.
Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp would benefit with the inclusion of a few former stars to their current side
Although Liverpool have a solid core group of individuals, there are certain positions that Jurgen Klopp would love to improve on. Unlike his competitors, Klopp is not simply a “chequebook manager”. However, given a choice, he will surely strengthen Liverpool and compete on all fronts.
Liverpool have had a host of world-beaters in their ranks over the years. A few of those yester-year gems would fit right into the current Liverpool side.
In this article, we take a look at five former Liverpool players that Jurgen Klopp would love to have in his current team:
#5 Dirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt was a hard-working player who would fit Jurgen Klopp's style of play perfectly. The Dutch forward spent most of his prime years at Anfield, scoring 71 goals in 285 matches. He could play anywhere across the attacking positions but was mainly deployed as a second striker.
Kuyt wasn’t renowned for his goal and assist tally. However, he had a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Moreover, he never stopped running. The workhorse consistently tracked back and helped out his team-mates.
Although Kuyt cannot be compared to Liverpool's all-time greats such as Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish, he would undoubtedly be a player Jurgen Klopp would love in his team. Kuyt would be Roberto Firmino’s back-up as a false nine, a relatively scarce role in world football.
#4 Alan Hansen
Liverpool have an envious defensive unit consisting of Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson and Alisson Becker. The second centre-back is often a point of debate, as Gomez, Matip and Konate are all great, but not at the level of Van Dijk.
How great would it be if Jurgen Klopp had the services of Liverpool's greatest defender? Alan Hansen has represented Liverpool 497 times. During his 14-year stint at the Merseyside club, he won eight English League titles and three European Cups.
Hansen was not only a generational defender but was also good with the ball at his feet, often converting defense to attack. He formed a legendary partnership with Mark Lawrenson in the 1980s and would have loved to collaborate with another great defender Virgil van Dijk in Jurgen Klopp’s current team.
#3 John Barnes
Unlike some former Liverpool legends, John Barnes will face stiff competition for a starting role in Jurgen Klopp’s side due to the presence of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. However, Barnes’ addition to the array of wingers will allow Klopp some flexibility with his formation.
Liverpool have majorly used the 4-3-3 formation during Klopp’s tenure, and one of the reasons for this is because he has limited attacking options on the bench. If a talented wide player like John Barnes was in Jurgen Klopp’s current squad, it would be different. Liverpool could easily have played 4-4-2 with Barnes and Mane on the wings, and Salah and Firmino or Jota upfront.
Barnes is arguably Liverpool’s greatest winger of all time. He scored 107 goals and registered 93 assists in 406 appearances for the Reds. Known for his quickness, dribbling, and skill on the ball, Barnes would be one of the first names on the teamsheet in the current Liverpool team.
#2 Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez was the most lethal forward in the Premier League during his time in England. Although Liverpool have found success since his departure, it is safe to say that they haven't found an equally prolific striker. Suarez scored 82 goals in 133 games for Liverpool before moving to FC Barcelona in 2014.
Liverpool’s current strikers include Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota and Divock Origi. Despite the quality in attack, it is clear why Luis Suarez would be loved at Liverpool. Suarez was exceptionally hard working and relentless, a prerequisite for a Jurgen Klopp player.
In Suarez, Liverpool will have an out-and-out number 9, who will score goals for fun. However, Liverpool will certainly have to make changes to their tactics if Suarez leads the line for them. Despite that, a front-three of Mohamed Salah, Luis Suarez, and Sadio Mane would be a scary prospect for any defense in Europe.
#1 Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard recently returned to the Premier League as Aston Villa manager. Jurgen Klopp, however, would have been delighted if Gerrard, the footballer, was still in his prime and available at Anfield. Midfield has never been the talking point of a Jurgen Klopp Liverpool side, but Gerrard would have changed that.
The Liverpool legend was a proper box-to-box midfielder who could score and set up goals, make 40 yard passes, motivate his team-mates, and track back in defense whenever required. A player of this mould would be a treat to have in Jurgen Klopp’s current team.
Gerrard spent 17 years at Liverpool and forever wrote his names in pantheons of Anfield greats. The only chink in his armour was the lack of a Premier League trophy. However, the missing part of Gerrard’s puzzle would be found if he played under Jurgen Klopp today.
