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I want a new signing, too. Everyone wants a new signing. New signings are exciting, and reassuring. But I’m not getting in on the bed-wetting, and here’s why:
(Disclaimer: "Bed-wetting" refers to the reactionaries. Everyone wants transfers. There isn't a binary re: transfers; its the emotions about them that have turned my TL into a toxic waste dump.)
I am not giving in to City's sportswashing, just because they won the PL by 1 point, and 2 cups by running through Championship teams. They pay large sums to have all-stars on the bench. Considering where they get their money, I'm not celebrating that, or envious of it.
Klopp uses preseason as a way to physically prepare for the next 10 months; training is physically taxing. The preseason matches were played (in the US in excessive heat and humidity) after intense training sessions, and not treated as "do or die."
Firmino, Salah, Mane, Shaqiri, and Keita accounted for 67% of Liverpool’s goals last season. Alisson made 96% of the team’s saves. None of them have played in preseason friendlies.
The likelihood of all of them being simultaneously injured at some point in this season is not worth mentioning, let alone assessing a monetary value. (And the weight of a long-term Salah injury doesn't fall on Origi; it falls on Mane. These guys carry water for each other.)
Last season's "luck": Firmino started slow/didn't adjust to early season system change; Fabinho didn't play until Nov; Salah had a goal drought; Firmino was injured/Salah concussed for the end of the season; Gomez/Keita missed most of the season, Ox/Brewster missed all of it.
All of those players will be back, and know the system and each other. A new signing will not get regular match time until Christmas anyway. Klopp likes his team to function like a clock; any new signing needs time to integrate/learn, and won't be a regular until they sync.
Which means the existing squad flows. Klopp will stick with what he thinks is working and has a chance for success. (See also: substitutes approach; he finds rhythm more important, and knee-jerk changes disruptive. This isn't new behavior for him.)
FSG have no incentive to stagnate. They are making record profits, and are on the verge of reaching a much higher global audience, and pushing the value of the team upwards. They understand how investment works.
Klopp (and the players) have ambition to build on last season. They play for reputations as much as hardware. Klopp is looking at his legacy, and the players at opportunity. Klopp works on mentality; he is not "settling."
If everyone involved has ambition and incentive, that means there is a plan. They have discussed investment, expectations, and risks. These people are not fools. They're not ignoring the market. We just don't know what they're shopping for.
There actually is cover in the existing squad. You're not going to find another Firmino; you're not going to find a "Salah" who is content to sit on the bench for 50 matches (w/o high compensation). Any insurance plan is going to change the dynamic, be it new signing or kid.
There was a lot of hand-wringing when Robertson signed from Hull, or Gini from Newcastle. Salah was going to be another Cuadrado. LFC fans should know by now that quality is not determined by cost.
(No one is *relying* on Lallana at this point. Whatever we get from him will be bonus. Stop using him as the whipping boy, it's indecent.)
I have (potentially too much) faith in Gini, who is, to me, the Dutch Milner. I have decided to stan him, and think he could be the secret weapon in this club's arsenal. We've seen him shifted defensively, and this preseason (and CL run), used in greater offensive capacity.
Monitor your expectations re: these "7 competitions." It'd be nice to win any/all, but be realistic. City added the Charity Shield to call themselves "Fourmidibles" and everyone laughed. Keep that perspective as the Top 3 get their first game time next week.
Klopp will likely make big changes in early EFL rounds, in order to prioritize the CL group stage. Since we'll probably draw Arsenal early, don't set yourself up for disappointment when Emery goes full strength against Brewster, Jones, and Hoever.
The Club World Cup is at a bad time; we already know how much Klopp hates fixture congestion at that time of year. There will likely be many squad changes.
FA Cup: See Club World Cup. In any of these competitions, Klopp will want to win, but that doesn't mean he won't use the time to rest players for the PL/CL, which are his priorities.
There are plenty of positives with this squad. They're not going to win every match. There are going to be days when great players are shit. It happens; keep perspective.
Remember: it's a game. You're not tethered to this team. Do not make them responsible for your happiness, or the architects of your undoing. If LFC's season is the biggest worry in your life, you're doing pretty well. If they're your only happiness, please work on that.
Everyone wants transfers. They're fun and exciting. But this is a TEAM, not a collection of all-stars. They play together; you don't just drop new people in and let them do their thing. So everyone have a cookie, get some fresh air, and GET OFF MY LAWN. *end rant*
