He will remain in limbo, Klopp will leave Liverpool without options

It’s truly going to be a brave new world at Liverpool come the summer. Assumptions that have been embedded for almost a decade will be thrown out of the window when Jürgen Klopp leaves. There’s the obvious question mark over how things will look on the pitch under a new coach. But that in turn has knock-on effects on transfer business, meaning the very idea of a ‘Liverpool signing’ could be about to fundamentally change.

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After all, a Klopp player is not necessarily the exact same as a Xabi Alonso player even if there are core similarities between the two styles, a fact which makes him an even more appealing candidate. A Rúben Amorim player is no doubt different again. But in the Klopp era, at least, a key port of call when assessing any center-back transfer target has been prowess in the air. The Liverpool front line is tasked with a fierce press, effectively with the aim of either producing a turnover or forcing opposing defenders to launch it long, that only works if the defenders in red can be backed to win their battles.

Virgil van Dijk has long been a leader in this area. Sure enough, looking at the aerial duel win percentages this season, the Dutchman once again sits right at the top of the Premier League (among those with a non-negligible amount of minutes), winning a staggering 82.6 per cent of his duels, per FBRef. There’s almost no point competing with him. A quick glance down the list makes it easier to understand why Liverpool was credited with an interest in Levi Colwill of Chelsea this summer (HITC). He ranks a respectable 21st in the league, sitting just above the magic 70 per cent mark that has typically made a player a really plausible Klopp transfer target.

Regardless of who is the manager, you’d imagine aerial dominance would be a valued trait in a center-back, albeit perhaps not quite as important as it has been to Klopp. But one thing Colwill has that would definitely be of equal use to any candidate for the Liverpool hot seat is his homegrown status. However, Chelsea was not interested in selling Colwill last summer, despite the ‘pure profit’ he would bring as a homegrown player. And while he places pretty well in the data, Liverpool would be justified in feeling it has saved a fortune.

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Klopp's successor

The really great news is that even if Klopp’s successor is not quite so fixated on aerial duels, Quansah has the same well-rounded skill set that made Colwill so appealing. He is among the top passers in the league, while he is also adept in possession, posting well above-average numbers for progressive carries and successful take-ons. Klopp has truly unearthed a gem for his heir to use. And while Colwill would have been a huge hit at Liverpool, the Reds will start next season with (at least) four players who boast an edge in an important area ultimately, the money saved can be better spent by the new manager, as he sets about molding the squad in his image. As to what that may be, only time will tell.