Jürgen Klopp Promises Summer Signings: “We’ve Learned from This Year”

With no European commitments, Liverpool intentionally took a small squad into the 2016-17 season and, for a time, looked to have made the right choice. For a time at least, while Jürgen Klopp's first choice players were all fit and on form, they were a side that looked title challengers. Maybe even title favourites.

Then, injuries hit. Players hit patches of poor form. Nothing quite went right for Klopp's small squad and the losses began to add up and Chelsea disappeared out over the horizon at the top of the league while Liverpool's chances of finishing in the top four became imperilled. Now, Klopp admits mistakes were made.

"We will show that we've learned from this year," the Liverpool manager told reporters gathered at his Bournemouth pre-match press conference today when he was asked about the club's plans for the coming summer. "Of course we will bring players in and of course the squad will have to be changed in a few position.

"With the problems we have had in January and February, the injury to Phil in November, Sadio away in January, Danny Ings out for a long time, Daniel Sturridge not 100% and then out. Every team in the world would miss them. So should we have bought another winger or another striker? Yes."

The good news, is that for the time being at least Liverpool look like they have survived having a thin squad. While the top four isn't assured, for the time being at least they appear favourites to return to the Champions League, even if Sadio Mané's recent injury is a legitimate reason for fans and Klopp to worry.

"It felt maybe in these moments this year we could give young boys the opportunity to show themselves," Klopp added. "But next year, with more games, we need to have more options in these positions."