Jurgen Klopp made Liverpool challengers again and the Merseyside outfit want you to uphold that at the very least should you opt for the Anfield club as your Football Manager 2019 team of choice.

There are no expectations that you will win it all in the 2018-19 season, but the German left a solid roster and the potential is there.

The board’s expectations

Take the Reds job away from the gegenpressing-king, and you will be tasked with securing another top-four finish in the Premier League, while guiding your men to the FA Cup Final.

On the continent, you’re also asked to return the five-time Champions League winners to the semi-finals, so at least you don’t have to match Klopp’s runners-up medal in that department.

The transfer war chest

Add a pound to the transfer budget and you come to Arsenal’s famous bid for Luis Suarez, as the Fenway Sports Group only offers £40million.

There’s a £350,000 wage allocation to play with, too, so you can always tweak the budget in favour of out-right spending, as to blow the base amount on £40million’s worth of players would take some doing.

Three players to buy

Alban Lafont

When you take charge of the Anfield outfit, the team report will straight away tell you there is a lack of quality in goal. Alisson Becker has proven to be a great signing in the summer, but can you rely on Simon Mignolet to pull off as many wonder saves? No, so why not sign 19-year-old Alban Lafont.

Yes, he’s only a teenager, but Lafont has great reflexes, is strong at one-on-ones and with 17 jumping reach, should not be caught out like Jordan Pickford in the Merseyside derby.

Alex Grimaldo

Andy Roberston is a very solid left-back, even one of the best in the game, despite having nothing all that standout about his game, but you will need to sign an understudy to the Scot as Alberto Moreno is not going to cover you in glory.

Benfica’s 22-year-old defender, and former La Masia product, Alex Grimaldo would be a great choice to pick up as a back-up left-back. He’s valued at under £10million, and has the potential to nestle with the best over time.

Bruno Fernandes

After relegation with Stoke, Xherdan Shaqiri’s move to Liverpool was a bargain and he can unlock the lethal front-three’s potential. But in Football Manager 2019, he’s rather lacking and a better alternative can be brought in.

Just look at the Swiss midfielder’s three for positioning, nine for concentration and a work rate of ten if you are thinking of using the 26-year-old.

Now, you could pull off the move Klopp couldn’t and bring Nabil Fekir to Merseyside, but a cheaper and just as good alternative is Sporting CP’s Bruno Fernandes. He’s only valued at £16.25million and has attributes to rival the likes of Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio.

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Three players to sell

Simon Mignolet

Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is still valued at £21million despite his ever-decreasing importance to Liverpool, and that would add a sizable chunk to the budget for a better replacement.

Likewise, Loris Karius harbours a £23m valuation, but the Champions League finalist cannot be recalled from his loan move in order to be sold.

Alberto Moreno

Alberto Moreno still has a few solid stats – mainly pace – but the Spaniard heavily lacks in positioning, decision making and anticipation. With a valuation of £24.5million and still only being 25, someone may try to snap him up and you should let them.

Adam Lallana

If you’ve run out of cash already or just in need of more funds for that big name player, Adam Lallana is a great money maker.

He’s valued at £44.5m, despite being very injury prone and will only decline if you keep him around. His absence will not be felt, either, as the midfield is very well catered for at Liverpool.

Three for the future

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Okay, okay, he’s the Reds’ first choice at right-back now, but Trent Alexander-Arnold is the Liverpool player for the future.

The 20-year-old can become a world-class defender and simply must feature for as many minutes as possible. Nathaniel Clyne is an adequate back-up when he gets tired, but it should never be the other way around.

Rhian Brewster

Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster may never reach the world-class tag, but he can become a top player for the club.

He’s only 18, so he’ll be around for a while, and can be a great option in the cups over the likes of Daniel Sturridge if you have long-term aspirations.

Ben Woodburn

You’ll have to look beyond the first year with Ben Woodburn as he’s out on loan at Sheffield United, but he can certainly have a first-team role upon his return as you nurture the midfielder into a world-class talent.