'A lot of good signs and now a big summer for Jürgen Klopp'
David Fairclough and Ray Houghton are predicting an important summer ahead for Jürgen Klopp as the manager seeks to build on a first season that saw Liverpool reach two cup finals.
Having only taken the reins in October, the German guided the Reds to the showpiece match in both the Capital One Cup and Europa League – though there was disappointment each time.
A cruel defeat was suffered at Wembley in February after a penalty shootout against Manchester City, while Klopp’s team were also beaten 3-1 by Sevilla in Basel on Wednesday evening.
Fairclough and Houghton observed enough during the boss’ first seven months to be optimistic for the future, however, and the former Liverpool duo expect he will oversee crucial strides in the months ahead.
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Houghton said: “If you get to one [final] in a season, it’s normally pretty good. But to get to two – and particularly a European one as well – there have been a lot of good signs.
“And the performance levels that we’ve seen, beating Manchester United, the Borussia Dortmund matches and the comeback in the home game.
“[Against] Villarreal, go away and lose a goal late on but still win the home game comfortably enough.
“But it’s a big summer for Jürgen Klopp. I think every Liverpool fan has been waiting for this moment because this is when he’s going to put his stamp on the team.
“Everyone is interested in who he brings to the club. Who are the additions to Liverpool that are going to make the changes for next season?”
Fairclough added: “[Pre-season is] absolutely vital. And certainly with continental managers, who really go to great lengths and attack it very scientifically.
“He’ll have a real programme of fitness and getting players to know the way they’re going to play, and all the systems he’s going to be looking to.
“Having played on the continent, I saw that they really did approach the game that way and that intense. I think Jürgen Klopp has a tried and tested method, and part of that will be really structured.”