With Brendan Rodgers handed his P45 by Liverpool, former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has been handed the task of picking up the baton at Anfield.
He brings with him a wealth of title-winning and Champions League experience, as well as a rather handy knowledge of what could prove to be a productive market place for the Reds.
The Bundesliga path has already been trodden in the recent past, with big money spent on the acquisitions of Emre Can and Roberto Firmino, but who could be next to wing their way to Merseyside if Klopp decides to stick to what he knows when the transfer window re-opens in January?
Hakan Calhanoglu
Bayer Leverkusen’s exciting attacking midfielder already has 11 senior caps for Turkey despite being just 21 years of age. Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland have all been linked with an approach for his services in recent times.
Leonardo Bittencourt
Another youngster of considerable promise, Bittencourt is a player Klopp will know plenty about. His big break didn’t come at Dortmund, as he was allowed to move on, but his undoubted talent has been unlocked at Hannover and a big move beckons at some stage for the Germany U21 international midfielder.
Leroy Sane
Liverpool have already seen one approach for the highly-rated 19-year-old knocked back, but the presence of Klopp could turn the tide in their favour. Were Schalke to enter into negotiations, though, it is safe to assume that the Reds wouldn’t be the only interested party.
Timo Horn
The Cologne man may only be 22 – very young for a top level goalkeeper – but Germany know a thing or two about producing world-class shot-stoppers, and Horn has the potential to reach that level. Brave, decisive and better with the ball at his feet than Simon Mignolet, Horn may be a useful recruit for the present and future.
Maximilian Arnold
The youngest player to debut for Wolfsburg, as well as being their youngest ever goalscorer, the talented midfielder is capable of operating in a deep-plying post, or as more of a forward-thinking option looking to break into the box.
Wendell
Left-back remains something of a problem area for the Reds, with Joe Gomez played out of position, Jose Enrique out of favour and Alberto Moreno yet to truly convince. Bayer Leverkusen’s humble Brazilian could be the answer to that defensive poser.
Granit Xhaka
Tied to a long-term contract at Borussia Monchengladbach and reported to be drawing admiring glances from Bayern Munich, but every player has a price and Klopp could be the man to lure the combative Swiss midfielder to England.
Jannik Vestergaard
Newcastle were linked with the giant Werder Bremen centre-half over the summer, but no deal materialised and their loss may be Liverpool’s gain. The towering 6ft 6in defender could be the ideal candidate to add greater physicality to the Reds’ backline.
Mario Gotze
Maybe a tad optimistic, but Gotze has been unable to nail down a regular starting berth throughout his time at Bayern Munich and will be aware that Arjen Robben is closing in on full fitness in Bavaria. Obviously knows Klopp well and would add a sprinkling of World Cup-winning magic to the Liverpool attacking unit, but will be aware that his chances of adding to his trophy haul will be much greater with Bayern – a leading side in Bundesliga betting markets and one much-fancied to go well in Europe – than they are likely to be elsewhere.
Marco Reus
Another of those to have worked with Klopp previously, with his star rising considerably after being taken to Dortmund in 2012. Has enjoyed plenty of success with his current employers but has become a big fish in a medium-sized pond. Liverpool would need to prove they are heading towards being title challengers again if they were to stand any chance of fending off Europe’s elite and securing the services of the much sought-after 26-year-old forward.
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