Emre Can
One of the biggest adjustments Klopp made when he joined Borussia in 2008 was gradually changing Mats Hummels from a defensive-midfielder into a centre-back. Sound familiar? Rodgers certainly saw the potential in Can, and the German utility fits the mold of Klopp’s blueprints.
The backline needs players that can confidently pick out a pass and not lose their cool when caught in a sticky situation. Can is still a liability at centre-back, that was evident against Everton, but in saying that the former Bayer Leverkusen regular was constantly switched from midfield to defender under the reign of Rodgers. Some consistency could not hurt.
Joe Gomez
Klopp had a predominantly youthful squad at Dortmund, something which bodes well for the young prodigies at Liverpool, especially Joe Gomez. The former Carlton Athletic defender broke into the first team at the beginning of the season, but played mostly on the left, whereas under the German he will be in the running for a centre-back position.
For similar reasons to Can, Gomez has looked exciting when in space and with plenty of time, two things he would receive regularly under a counter-pressing game plan, because the majority of work will be done through the midfield. That means some of the pressure will be lifted-off of his shoulders and gives him the chance to develop into an English Premier League regular.
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