JURGEN KLOPP has been told by an ex-Liverpool star the two players he needs to make them Champions League winners again.
The German has already enjoyed huge success since his arrival at Anfield in 2015.
He has won every trophy available, ending the club’s three decade wait for the title, as well as the Champions League in 2019.
However, his squad underwent a major overhaul over the summer after veterans Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all departed as well as Roberto Firmino.
Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch were all brought in to bolster Liverpool and the new-look outfit have made an impressive start to the campaign after last season’s disappointing fifth-placed finish.
Having missed out on the Champions League, the Reds are competing in the Europa League this term as they prepare to face Union Saint-Gilloise tonight.
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And despite being impressed with the new recruits, ex-Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant believes that two more key players would result in them being crowned the kings of Europe for a seventh-time.
The now 40-year-old, who was a Champions League finalist during his time on Merseyside, says that Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram are the men needed.
The two midfielders have both been linked with Liverpool over recent months and Pennant has backed both the Borussia Monchengladbach French ace, 22, and his 22-year-old countryman at Nice to add the finishing touches to Klopp’s squad.
Pennant told Lucky Block: “I’d like to see Liverpool sign a proper enforcer in January. For me, that player would be Manu Kone.
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“I think he would be a great number six and encourage Mac Allister to move further forward.
“Kone would be the icing on the cake, and so would Khephren Thuram – I’ve always been a huge fan of his.
“He may not play as a six, but you could make it work. If we can get them in January, then we’re looking at a boss midfield.
“Those two could win Liverpool the Champions League. Having Kone and Thuram in there would elevate Liverpool’s midfield to being up there with the very best.
“Add in the forward five, and the likes of Virgil [van Dijk], Trent [Alexander-Arnold], and Alisson in the back, and that’s an unbelievable side.”
Regarding the new additions already at the club, Pennant hailed the work of Klopp in the last transfer window.
He added: “I think this is up there with Klopp’s greatest transfer windows.
“He’s got everything down to a tee. Dominik Szoboszlai has had an unbelievable start, Mac Allister is a quality signing, even though I’d like to see him play a bit further forward.
“Endo will be solid once he settles, and Ryan Gravenberch looks exciting, too. Liverpool needed fresh legs and new energy, and now they’ve got it. For the first time in years, it doesn’t look like Liverpool’s midfield will be overrun.
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“They’re solid, confident, and chipping in with goals themselves. This midfield has already scored more goals than the one last season!
“I don’t think Henderson scored once, and I think Fab only got two. This midfield has already bettered that.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
