Football: Could this be Jurgen Klopp’s last season at Liverpool?

Liverpool Football Club are closing in on their fifth signing of the summer, a reported record-breaking fee for a goalkeeper, £67 million for Brazilian Alisson Becker from Italian club Roma. Alisson will join up with fellow summer signings; Naby Keita, Fabinho, Xherdan Shaqiri and Isaac Christie-Davies.

Over the past few seasons, under ownership of Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool have shown they are a club with lofty ambitions. However, under management of both Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp they have failed to pick up a single trophy. How long can a club with such high expectations go without winning a trophy before it is decided something at the club needs to change?

In June of 2016 Klopp said 'Other clubs can go out and spend more money and collect top players. I want to do it differently. I would even do it differently if i could spend that money.' Liverpool's spending so far this summer falls just short of £110 million and the addition of Alisson Becker would take their spending to £177 million. Seemingly Jurgen Klopp's transfer philosophy has changed. 

During his time at Anfield Jurgen Klopp has been given the funds to build a team in his image, with only a select handful of players remaining on Merseyside from before the Klopp era. The signing of Alisson would fill a key weakness within Jurgen Klopp’s team and potentially be the final piece of the puzzle in Jurgen Klopp’s rebuild. Along with the world most expensive defender, Virgil Van Dijk, a hard-working engine in midfield, a frontline that could give defenders nightmares and strength in depth throughout the pitch, Liverpool would now have a team that should be contenders in both the league and cup competitions.

The Anfield crowd has been treated to some of the best football in the country during Klopp’s three-year reign at the club. However, it hasn’t come without it’s share of heartache for the Liverpool faithful. Liverpool have been to three cup finals in the three years under Klopp and have been unfortunate losing every one. Jurgen’s wait for a major trophy is now six years in the making and he has now lost six consecutive finals, a hoodoo he and fans, I’m sure, are desperate for him to break.

In spite of Klopp’s disappointing record in finals he has managed to lead Liverpool to successive top four finishes in the Premier League, something that had not been achieved by Liverpool since Rafael Benitez accomplished the feat in 2009. Securing Liverpool, top tier European football and the money that comes with it. Achieving successive top 4 finishes validates the squads ability and provides a steady platform for the club to bring in quality players and to mount an offensive for glory.  The time for Klopp to take Liverpool to the next level is now.

So, will this be Jurgen Klopp’s last season at Liverpool? Probably not. However, sand is slowly slipping through the hour glass for Jurgen and the longer Liverpool’s trophy drought continues the more fans and owners will grow discontent with the German’s occupancy of the Anfield dugout. Liverpool truly have a remarkable squad and the next two seasons are likely to be pivotal in deciding Jurgen’s legacy on Merseyside.