Liverpool’s season was a disappointing one. The start of the season was not great and after a few disappointing results, Brendan Rodgers was sacked. Jurgen Klopp took over as the manager and that was the best piece of news for Liverpool fans. Klopp brought a lot of optimism along with him and rejuvenated the players. Players like Adam Lallana, Joe Allen and Dejan Lovren found their career graphs take an upturn. All three of them were amongst Liverpool’s best players. Some players couldn’t impress as much as fans would have expected them to. They have the potential but did not give their best last season. Here are three such players that need to pull up their socks and get ready for the next season.
1.) Jordan Henderson
Liverpool’s skipper had an average season. Owing to injuries, he missed quite a lot of matches last season. Henderson was impressive during the 2013/14 and the 2014/15 seasons. Alongside Gerrard, he was very good at the centre of the park. After Gerrard’s departure last summer, Henderson was given the captain’s armband and responsibilities doubled on Henderson. Next season will be a very vital season for Liverpool, especially Henderson. It will be Klopp’s first full season as Liverpool’s head coach and having a strong captain in good form will be quite helpful. Henderson will be the captain next season and he will be expected to perform well. The vital part of the pre-season is about to start now as Liverpool will play some of the top clubs. So the time is perfect for Henderson to pull up his socks and get back in good form.
2.) Alberto Moreno
The Spanish left-back was heavily criticized last season for his defensive contribution. Moreno is a modern full-back but his defending is weak. Moreno was signed in 2015 after he impressed for Sevilla in the La Liga. But in 2 seasons at Liverpool Moreno has impressed more as an attacking player rather than a defensive one. Last season, Moreno propelled a lot of attacks from the left and his pace helped him make darting runs. But he left huge gaps at the back and the oppositions exploited those gaps. Moreno is just 24 and he still has the chance to develop his defensive attributes. Liverpool have failed to sign a left back so far and chances are less that they will sign one. So Moreno will be the first choice left back and he will have to impress next season. And under Klopp, he can develop into a proper left-back. So this is just the time for him to ready himself for the coming season.
The Spanish left-back was heavily criticized last season for his defensive contribution. Moreno is a modern full-back but his defending is weak. Moreno was signed in 2015 after he impressed for Sevilla in the La Liga. But in 2 seasons at Liverpool Moreno has impressed more as an attacking player rather than a defensive one. Last season, Moreno propelled a lot of attacks from the left and his pace helped him make darting runs. But he left huge gaps at the back and the oppositions exploited those gaps. Moreno is just 24 and he still has the chance to develop his defensive attributes. Liverpool have failed to sign a left back so far and chances are less that they will sign one. So Moreno will be the first choice left back and he will have to impress next season. And under Klopp, he can develop into a proper left-back. So this is just the time for him to ready himself for the coming season.
3.) Danny Ings
Ings was great for Burnley during the 2014/15 campaign but he couldn’t save them from relegation. His performances drew attention from Rodgers and he was signed. Ings’ career at Liverpool started well as he scored 3 goals in his first 8 appearances. But a serious knee injury ruled him out for the rest of the season. Ings recovered well and managed a few appearances before the end of the season. Klopp was impressed by the English forward’s spirit from the very beginning. In the pre-season too, Ings has scored 3 goals in 4 matches so far. Ings is versatile and can play in the wings as well as through the centre. Ings has missed one full season and if he wants to have a future at Liverpool, he needs to perform well next season.