Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp have been active in the transfer window having moved early to secure a number of new signings. While deals for Marko Grujic and Joel Matip were done in January, Klopp has also signed goalkeeper Loris Karius from Mainz and Sadio Mane from Southampton.
While Liverpool might not be associated with the top names in the transfer market anymore, Klopp is slowly but surely stamping his authority on the side signing players whom he thinks will suit his system the best.
We take a look at all the signings Liverpool have made so far and rate them out of 10:
Loris Karius
When Liverpool signed Loris Karius from Mainz, few fans from outside the Bundesliga knew about the talented German shot-stopper. Given the number 1 jersey by Liverpool, Karius, who is just 23, looks set to usurp the starting position from Mignolet this season.
The signing of Karius might not have caused too much excitement for the fans, but it represents a very shrewd piece of business from Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool transfer committee. The former Mainz goalkeeper is rated highly in Germany having represented Germany in the U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19 and U-21 levels. Also, although Klopp has publicly backed Mignolet, the Belgian has been prone to making errors and a quality goalkeeper like Karius will keep Mignolet on his toes.
While Karius definitely has age on his side, he is also already pretty experienced having made close to a 100 appearances for the Mainz first team. A goalkeeper blessed with good height, shot-stopping skills and presence in the penalty box, Karius can go on to become one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League next season.
Liverpool bought Karius for a fee of £4.7 million on a five-year deal and it is looking like a deal worth every penny.
Rating – 7/10
Joel Matip
Liverpool’s Achilles heel in recent seasons has been defending at set-pieces and the signing of Joel Matip could provide the much-needed defensive solidity to the porous Liverpool back-line. What makes this signing a very good signing is the fact that Liverpool managed to sign Matip for free from Schalke.
The Cameroon international stands at a towering 6ft 5in and he could provide the much needed aerial presence for Liverpool in the box. Matip is just 24, and under Klopp, he could become the defensive mainstay for Liverpool.
Matip has 259 appearances for Schalke and he also has experience of playing in the Champions League as well. A quality defender who is strong aerially as well as good on the ball, Matip is definitely an able replacement for Martin Skrtel.
What contributes to Matip’s good rating is the fact that he was signed for free and has experience of playing at the very top level having played for Schalke in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Rating – 8.5/10
Marko Grujic
Marko Grujic was wanted by all the top clubs across Europe like Inter Milan, Juventus, Chelsea and AC Milan, but a call from Jurgen Klopp made him choose Liverpool. The 20 year old who is already a full Serbian international showed glimpses of why he is so highly rated in Liverpool’s pre-season friendly over Fleetwood Town.
The towering midfielder absolutely bossed the game at the centre of the park, and has already got Liverpool fans purring in delight. However, one must also keep in mind that the performance was in a pre-season game against Fleetwood town.
Grujic impressed for Red Star Belgrade this season, playing a crucial role in his side's triumph in the League. Standing at 6-foot-3-inches, Grujic has been described as "tall, rangy, comfortable on the ball and with a good range of passing" and dubbed the 'new Mati' because of his likeness in both appearance and position to fellow Serbian defensive midfielder, Nemanja Matic.
Bought for a fee of £5.1 million, Grujic can grow to become one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the Premier League.
Rating – 7.5/10
Sadio Mane
Another former Southampton player who now plays for Liverpool, Sadio Mane’s performances will be subject to intense speculation because of the hefty price tag he was bought for. Joining for an initial transfer fee of £34 million on a five-year contract, Mane has been the most expensive signing of Jurgen Klopp so far.
Mane is definitely a Klopp type of player, having great pace, work-rate and a never say die attitude. However, whether he is worth the huge transfer fee is something that we will find out as the season goes on.
Mane is seen as the ideal replacement for Sterling and if his performances in the first two pre-season games are anything to go by, he is definitely going to be one of Klopp’s favourites in the upcoming season.
However, a transfer fee of £34 million for a player like Sadio Mane could prove to be too much of a gamble.
Rating – 5.5/10
Summary of Liverpool’s transfer window so far
Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have made some shrewd signings so far having signed players all below the age of 25. The charismatic German manager is building a squad for the future and all the signings seem to suit Klopp’s style of play perfectly.
Joel Matip, Marko Grujic, Loris Karius and Sadio Mane will all be spending the peak of their careers at Liverpool and under the guidance of Klopp, they can set Liverpool back on the path to greatness.
However, there is a lack of a genuine big name signing and Liverpool fans might start becoming impatient with Klopp if they miss out on Champions League football once again. All in all, it has been a good transfer window so far, but Klopp will require one more big signing to make this good transfer window a great one.
Rating – 7/10
