5 Liverpool players who must impress Jurgen Klopp in pre-season

#3 Marko Grujic

Grujic enjoyed regular game time on loan last season

In a parallel universe, Grujic should ideally be well-placed to replace Georginio Wijnaldum, who has left Liverpool on a free transfer. However, as things stand, the Croatian will still have to prove himself in pre-season, yet again.

When Klopp signed him from Red Star Belgrade in 2016, there was plenty of promise. The energetic box-to-box midfielder even lit up pre-season that year, scoring from distance against Tranmere Rovers and Wigan Athletic in addition to his header against Barcelona.

But he was soon deemed surplus to requirements at Liverpool and has subsequently spent time on loan at three different clubs. At 25, Grujic will feel he is no longer a prospect with a bright future anymore. The midfielder notched up 39 appearances in all competitions for Porto last term and would surely demand clarity on his future.

There are other players who can also put their hand up to replace Wijnaldum in the current Liverpool side and as such, Grujic will have to produce something similar to his first ever pre-season with the club in order to force his way into Klopp's plans.

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#2 Takumi Minamino

Minamino will be keen to make an impression

Following his switch from Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, Minamino failed to integrate himself quickly into the first team at Liverpool. The Japanese forward eventually secured a loan move to Southampton during the winter transfer window and earned valuable minutes under his belt last term.

Considering the pandemic and the challenges brought by it, Minamino had to face difficulties in terms of acclimatizing to life in England. However, the 26-year-old could be as good as a new signing for Liverpool in the upcoming season if he can really put his head down and work hard in pre-season.

The fact that he can play anywhere in the front-three will also help his cause in pre-season. At his best, Minamino will fit in like a glove with Klopp's system. The forward works hard, can press and has also played as a false-nine before. It will be interesting to see where his future lies, especially since he is not really indispensable at Liverpool either.

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#1 Taiwo Awoniyi

Awoniyi has had to wait a long time for his chance

Nobody has had to wait longer than Awoniyi to earn his chance in pre-season for Liverpool. The Nigerian striker joined the Reds back in 2015 but has spent each of the last six years away on loan after failing to earn a UK work permit.

Now that he is finally here, Awoniyi couldn't have arrived at a better time. Both Firmino and Jota are yet to join the pre-season party and the 23-year-old will certainly feel he deserves a chance to showcase what he can do.

Divock Origi is unlikely to have a significant role to play at Liverpool in the long-term, with the club even open to listening to offers. Having racked up 139 appearances during his loan spells spread out across Europe, Awoniyi is more than capable of being an understudy to the more prolific and experienced forwards at Liverpool.

There is interest from several clubs in England to try and get him on loan and that could well be the way forward for him. But having waited for as long as six years, it is safe to say Awoniyi will be desperate to try and make the most of pre-season under Klopp.