Germany and Europe have experienced a record mild winter, but there was just enough snow for national captain Manuel Neuer to break his leg while skiing. The Bayern goalkeeper’s accident rivaled only the Reyna family–USMNT soap opera as spice for a slow mid-season off the pitch. New Year’s Eve temperatures in Germany were as high as 68 degrees. Yet, the transfer market hasn’t exactly overheated.

Arguably there are two reserved headlines in German soccer. Bayern, to whom Gladbach’s Jan Sommer is finally moving as deputy for Neuer. And ‘the rest,’ for whom this weekend reconvenes a decade-long balancing act of entertainment value, sporting integrity and prudent second-best finishes.

Who are the teams to watch when the Bundesliga returns?

After the curtain-raiser in Leipzig, the game of the weekend could be at Wolfsburg. In the fall, Robert Kovac’s squad took time to gel, but their pre-World Cup form was only second to Bayern. On Saturday, Wolfsburg host coach of the season-so-far, Christian Streich. His Freiburg fairytale was the highlight of the pre-Christmas Bundesliga.

In second place, Freiburg surprised the league’s bigger spenders. As did promoted Werder Bremen. Werder Bremen, sitting in ninth in the table, visits Köln. Union Berlin, another good story, hosts Hoffenheim. ‘Can they keep it up?’ is the question.

‘Can they step it up?’ is the question for Bayern’s fellow Champions League participants: Eintracht Frankfurt (fourth), RB Leipzig (third) and Borussia Dortmund (sixth). Dortmund especially need to assert themselves. Each of these three clubs assumes underdog status in the round of 16 against Napoli, Man City and Chelsea, respectively. Bayern revive the 2020 final match up against PSG on February 14th, perhaps underdogs on their own accord.

Also needing elevation are Bayer Leverkusen (twelfth) under Xabi Alonso in his first senior managerial role. Having fluffed the Champions League group stage and won only three Bundesliga games in the first three months of a disastrous campaign, Alonso joined Leverkusen in early October. He waited a month for a victory but eased nerves with three in a row before the winter break.

Leverkusen’s poor form (plus long-term injury to Florian Wirtz) means their latest batch of Premier League-linked talent has flown under the radar this season. Those talented players include Wirtz, Piero Hincapié, Moussa Diaby and a rejuvenated Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Alonso’s measurement of success may be by which clubs come bidding for his young talent.

Purchasing power and exorbitant privilege

Transfer norms signify the Bundesliga’s place in world soccer’s hierarchy. Kevin Schade and Georginio Rutter are its latest young exports. Presuming his loan is made permanent, Schade gives up likely European football next season to play mid-table football in England. Rutter cost his Premier League club over $30 million and could be fighting relegation for Jesse Marsch within months as the club’s record signing.

The Bundesliga’s inferior purchasing power hits public imagination hardest with Borussia Dortmund, everyone’s favorite underachievers. Dortmund are resigned to losing Jude Bellingham in the summer. And although sporting director Sebastian Kehl issued a contract ‘ultimatum’ to Youssoufa Moukoko, negotiating power lies with the 18-year-old whose deal expires in June.

Of course, one club needn’t submit to losing its best players to richer climates: Bayern Munich. There is an exorbitant privilege that comes with being number one for ten years. Bayern have the expenses and pulling power to make viable succession plans for key positions. And they aren’t vulnerable to the Premier League cherry picking assets at will.

These assumptions gave Manuel Neuer’s hospitalization added value in a slow winter news cycle. For once, the rest of the league has enjoyed the sight of Bayern scrambling against time to fill a key position.

Neuer is 36, and though it’s impossible to predict the quality of his recovery, he expects to return in the summer and isn’t yet close to retirement. In the end, the stars seem to have aligned just in time.

Borussia Mönchengladbach lined up Montpellier’s Jonas Omlin. This allowed Sommer – ‘too good for Gladbach’ for some time now – to move on, knowing that in six months, he’ll be the best backup keeper in world soccer.

The transfer window remains open until the end of January so there is time for a few delayed Christmas presents yet. Until then we’ll enjoy the weather, forget the World Cup, and have a happy Bundesliga new year.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Motivio

The inquest – for the third time in four-and-a-half years – began immediately. German public broadcaster ARD brutally interrogated an exhausted Hansi Flick within minutes of the final whistle. Moments later, team director Oliver Bierhoff got the same treatment. What went wrong? What would you do differently? Are the players good enough? Are you the right man for the job?

The pain is more bitter for the hopes raised by the battle with Spain.

Costa Rica-Germany rollercoaster ride

For neutrals, the entertainment was incomparable. Elite sportsmen, pushed to their limits on the highest stage, in the most tense circumstances: how do top athletes respond psychologically to simultaneous events from another stadium? Changes that alter live risk-reward calculations in their own game? Ask Spain. They were losing at 50 mins, but still progressing; being knocked out twenty mins later with the same scoreline; and qualifying again just moments later, their own game still unchanged.

And the game was sprinkled with the irrational, first-will-be-last justice that only soccer provides. When Costa Rica led Germany 2–1 on 70 mins, they were set to progress at Spain’s expense – the team who beat them 7–0 in their opening game. To get the measure of the whole group, swallow the fact that in the history of World Cup statistics, only two teams have ever lost when attempting over 700 passes in a game: Japan vs Germany a few days ago; and Japan vs Spain tonight. 

Then there was Japan’s controversial winner: apparently the full “curvature of the ball” did not cross the line. But this will barely be a footnote for Germany.

Performance culture

A few days ago, Germany wrestled a very talented Spain team to a deserved draw. Today they scored four goals and won. They dictated the rhythm against each opponent in the group. Jamal Musiala hit the post twice and Germany could have scored multiple times. Is it really that bad?

Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira, 2014 World Cup winners, were not shy with suggestions in the immediate post-game comments. Elite mentality, and elite footballing skill, are simply lacking. Schweinsteiger named Toni Rudiger as Germany’s only truly top-level defender after highlighting David Raum’s error in the lead-up to Costa Rica’s equalizer. 

At the end of a dominant first half in which Costa Rica seemed in damage-limitation mode, comical defending from first Raum, then Rudiger, and then Niklas Süle nearly turned the tide. Germany did not heed the warning. Costa Rica found their batteries, Joel Campbell’s hold-up play made him look like Didier Drogba, and suddenly they had purpose and intent on the break. The game exploded and Germany could not get a grip.

The post-game discussion went further in pinpointing the nub of Germany’s failure. Despite the possession statistics, and despite the Champions League experience and footballing quality of the team’s Bayern stars, the national team lacked a real leader to control the game in key moments. 

Germany should have buried the Japan and Costa Rica games before half time. But they let their opponents back in, lost control of their own shape and approach-play at the games’ tipping points, and lacked the mental dexterity to recover. 

Who will be Germany’s on-pitch leader when they host the European Championships in two years’ time? Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, and İlkay Gündoğan will surely move on. Can Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, often willingly outspoken, control a world-class football match? Will Jamal Musiala – the one bright spark of Germany’s tournament – possess the finishing touches to bury teams he only teased in Qatar? And what about the big hole in the team, the center forward?

Seeking deeper meaning

After Flick was challenged on his use of Müller ahead of Niclas Füllkrug, Bierhoff had to answer the deeper structural questions: Why doesn’t Germany have a world-class centre-forward? Are they failing to develop players? Is this a generational problem? Interestingly, not all the players were said to be on board with the One Love protest before the Japan game. Did this negate their mental composure? 

Germany “should” have done more. But perhaps all the soul-searching will have to conclude that sometimes that is just football. This World Cup has been wonderfully full of upsets. While some of global soccer’s established powers have stumbled but then found their feet, others have barely shown up. Perhaps this tournament represents a shift in the balance of global power?

When Morocco topped a group that included the last World Cup’s runners up Croatia and third-placed Belgium – whose golden generation can meet Germany at the airport – it was another sign of Qatar’s level playing field. Whereas none of Africa’s five representatives at Russia 2018 passed the group stage, Morocco and Senegal are already through this year, Ghana are in a great position to progress, and Tunisia were unlucky not to while beating the reigning champions France. 

Japan’s progression at Germany’s expense maybe devastating in Berlin, but for a more competitive and entertaining global game, it was gold.

Photo credit: IMAGO / Moritz Müller

The World Cup is not the World Cup without the best facing the best. And Spain’s draw with Germany was its nearest tie yet to a heavyweight classic. Both captains were former winners. Also, there was Champions League experience aplenty. Finally, three of world soccer’s best midfield entertainers for the next decade played. Gavi and Pedri represented Spain against Germany’s Jamal Musiala.

Additionally, and more fundamentally, it was high stakes. Even after a favor from Costa Rica, Germany faced potential elimination. The emotional release when Germany drew level told a similar story to Lionel Messi’s face when he broke the deadlock against Mexico: we are who we think we are; we are still contenders.

Spain–Germany had world-class close control, first-touch passing, and decisive tactical variation from both coaches. But, best of all, it had those favorite Jürgen Klopp ingredients. Tangible passion and mentality. 

And this time Germany put on the show. To put it crudely – as ex-Bayern man Sandro Wagner did when co-commentating live on German television – while Spain had more of the ball, Germany had cojones.

The game of the World Cup

The rags-to-riches bonus narrative of Niclas Füllkrug’s equaliser told more than his own story. The 29-year-old’s career has yo-yoed between Germany’s top two tiers and he is still to play 90 competitive international minutes. But the Bremen man’s leveller hinted at several threads of tournament game-play. 

After all of Spain’s proto-Tiki-Taka 2.0, they subbed on Morata, spread the ball wide, and the “traditional” No. 9 beat Niklas Süle to the near post and finished Jordi Alba’s cross smartly. 

At that point around the hour mark, Germany looked shaky. Just minutes earlier, Luis Enrique had blinked first in making the opening substitution and tactical change (Morata for Torres). Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich earned yellow cards a few moments apart, and then Enrique was justified with Morata’s goal.

Germany had somewhat gone for broke from the beginning. Putting “the system” to one side for the sake of nullifying Spain’s Barcelona trio in midfield, Goretzka had played instead of Kai Havertz and Germany pressed high against probably the best ball-playing side in the tournament. In the first ten minutes, it seemed they could be ripped apart. And what would Flick do if they went behind?

Big risks pay off

Neither side began with a central striker. With Rodri at centre-back and Asensio as the all-action “false 9,” Spain had players all over the pitch who could give and receive the ball under pressure. They banked on the German defenders’ inability to do the same, chased them fervently, and were nearly rewarded several times in the first half. 

It was a wonderfully open game at 0–0. But there are different ways to win at football. Sometimes the ideal system and the better players aren’t the key differentials. Sometimes ‘wanting it more’ goes a long way. Germany had all the grit they needed against Spain. 

The game was less refined in the second half. Both sides simplified their approach: the ball often went wide and either wingers ran behind the line or crosses were tossed in the air. Germany were fantastically physical throughout, they forced errors, and then came Füllkrug.

past meets future

Rewind twelve years and Sergio Busquets and Manuel Neuer faced off in a World Cup semi-final. Busquets was just 21 but already a Champions League winner. Neuer was still a Schalke player at 24. They were the faces of world soccer’s ascendent powers. 

In footballing terms, Busquets and Neuer have both seen the rise and fall of dynasties. Pep Guardiola’s reconstruction of the game – from Barca’s La Masia graduates to the Bayern Munich of his converted fullback Philip Lahm – influenced both the 2010 and 2014 World Cup winning Spanish and German sides. 

It was often said – even besides Guardiola – that Germany’s rise borrowed from the Spanish “model.” Between them they won everything internationally between 2008 and 2014. But top players get old and retire. And the rest of the world watched and learned too. After Spain crashed and burned in 2014 and 2018, Germany did likewise at Russia 2018 and the delayed Euro 2020. The “cycle” had to begin again.

Germany and Spain both mixed youth and experience this year and Spain have been more radical. 

As Luis Enrique trusted in Barcelona teenagers Pedri and Gavi, Thiago Alcantara, the Premier League’s best playmaker, did not even make the squad. Pedri only turned 20 two days after Spain hammered Costa Rica in their World Cup opener, yet he has already played a major tournament semi-final. Such is the faith in the talent, and the process, of the national setup.

Germany, in contrast, have ummed and erred. Joachim Löw tried to be radical, notoriously excluding Mats Hummels, Thomas Müller, and Jérôme Boateng before the football public was ready to accept it, and results undermined him. The simmering worry has been that the talent just is not there. This year’s squad told a mixed story: a recall for Mario Götze, hardly the future of German football; and warm receptions for Youssafa Moukoko and Jamal Musiala, who hopefully are.

The sad truth was that Germany celebrated today’s point like a win. They aren’t where they should be and could still return home to ridicule. We could still see a fairytale as well, but in the long run, Germany need to keep learning from Spain.

Drama is a winner

The best face of this World Cup has been its on-pitch drama. The game off the pitch has been disillusioning. But the actual football – the upsets, the tension, the Niclas Füllkrug of it all – is a beautiful sight.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Sven Simon

But the tactical staleness that characterized Germany’s decline under the latter reign of Joachim Löw remains under Hansi Flick. In a classic game of two halves, when Japan upped the tactical stakes in the second half, Germany had no plan B.

Japan strikes at the heart of Germany’s problems

What could be called the “Robin Gosens problem” from Germany’s last major tournament – building a strategy around the team’s least established player – seemed reincarnated in David Raum in a conservative first half. Neither team risked much, Germany gently probing and were rewarded with a penalty through Raum’s advances; and Japan promising on the counter until Germany’s ball retention and control of the game improved as time wore on.

But Germany were too comfortable. When Japan introduced an extra defender at half time to counter Germany’s attacks down the left flank, the problem was solved. Japan pressed aggressively, held a higher line, and the added dynamism in midfield turnovers played to their advantage.

By the close of the game, a clueless Germany were humbled to the sight of Manuel Neuer running forward for corners and free kicks. Meanwhile Japan’s incisive options on the wings came alive. Both their goals were scored by attacking substitutes. In comparison, Hansi Flick’s response to the Japanese equalizer was unimaginative: two like-for-like substitutions and no tactical spice.

Entertainment and anxiety

After endless politics, and three no-score draws in the tournament’s first nine games, some pure entertainment should have been nice. The ponderous first half even threatened to make the German team photo – a protest at FIFA’s handling of the One Love armband – the highlight of the day.

But the second-half surprise spelled anxiety, not delight. Japan were tactically superior and physically more willing. Flick had little to show by throwing on his headline additions to the squad, as Gotze, Hofmann, Fullkrug, and Moukoko achieved little.

The appointment of Hansi Flick was supposed to restore Germany to a club of tactically advanced international nations after their stagnation under Low. But there was no reimagining here of Flick’s Champions League-winning Bayern Munich side. Although Jamal Musiala showed flashes of skill, he and Kai Havertz were fairly muted as Germany’s front six failed to gel. Build-up play relied too much on the mechanical prodding of years gone by – see repeated possession recycled to an advanced left-back.

Off the pitch, the Germany football association is said to be considering an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, furious at FIFA’s refusal of the One Love armband.

German football’s current risk is the prospect of bigger headlines off the pitch than on it.

Photo credit: IMAGO / Xinhua

Germany and Japan have plenty to offer in that regard on Wednesday, Nov. 23 when they face each other. However, Japan’s team sheet could pull in more Bundesliga clubs than Germany.

Given a few unknowns, the two clubs could send out a total of 12 players from Bundesliga clubs.

Germany’s likely starters (and their respective club teams): Bayern; West Ham, Real Madrid, Dortmund, Leipzig; Man City, Bayern; Bayern, Bayern, Bayern, Chelsea

Japan’s likely starters: Strasbourg; Urawa Reds, Schalke, Arsenal, Gladbach; Stuttgart, Sporting; Freiburg, Frankfurt, Reims; Celtic

Managing expectations

For global soccer fans, the Champions League multi-millionaires on one side contrast with “names to learn” on the other. But, similarities still prevail. Both sides lack an established No. 9. Then, each nation is overstocked with attacking midfield talent. Finally, Japan and Germany are vulnerable to a mix of ageing legs and inexperience at the back at this World Cup.

No doubt, the players will entertain. Consequently, European sporting directors will respond with January transfers and contract improvements. Perhaps Daichi Kamada or Youssoufa Moukoko could climb the value chain through a bumper deal or a new employer. 

But the real product on show at Khalifa International Stadium is the Bundesliga.

Germany, Japan put on Bundesliga display at World Cup

TV subscriptions keep the soccer world spinning. They elevate not just individual clubs and players. Rather, deals provide whole national industries – entire leagues, even – to competitive advantage. Bundesliga fans pay as much as anyone. At least, they do within Germany. 

Premier League and Bundesliga deals for domestic audiences don’t differ much in value. But international audiences prefer the former, by far. For example, ESPN paid the Bundesliga $30 million per season for a six-year deal in 2021. On the other hand, NBC paid the Premier League $433 million per year for a six-year deal of its own.

The quest for profit

Germany’s footballing powers know this. The ongoing debate on the “moral economy” of 50+1 ownership rules reflects a concern with international success. Bundesliga teams cannot compete when benchmarked against the trophies and spending power of El Clasico and the Premier League.

The advent of the German 2022/23 season met with a collective yawn. The Bavarian exception – sporadic Champions League success paralleled by domestic dominance – to the Bundesliga’s waning clout is a “boring” hindrance: serial winners are bad for the brand.

The media narrative has echoes within the German football association. The DFB’ is attempting to drive revenues across the Atlantic through new sporting partnerships. This will see Munich and Frankfurt alternate as hosts to annual NFL games for the next four years. DFB CEO, Donata Hopfen, is open to multiple innovations to market the league. 

As Hopfen remarked after Eintracht Frankfurt’s surprise Europa League win this year, nothing sells the Bundesliga like high-level success on the pitch. So, fingers crossed for an entertaining game against the Samurai Blue.

Plus, the appearance of Daichi Kamada, who played a key role in that Eintracht Frankfurt success of last season and the current campaign, can spread the international significance.

Expensive moral absolutes

German football has been outspoken on FIFA’s moral compromises in renting the global game to Qatar. From Leon Goretzka’s response to a Qatari diplomat, to documentaries on foreign laborers by former national players like Thomas Hitzlsperger, the Bundesliga’s stars have not held back.

But, FIFA’s concerns don’t align with the DFB’s. It seems Manuel Neuer’s insistence on wearing the now-threatened One Love armband could now cost him an automatic yellow card. 

International audiences don’t all share the same values – and who knows if this makes any difference for the Bundesliga’s commercial growth. But whatever Manuel Neuer’s armband looks like against Japan, German soccer needs some entertainment.

A plethora of talent from the Bundesliga can build that praise as Germany battles Japan at the World Cup.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Hartenfelser

Or has it? Besides Götze, two minor questions simmered in the German media before the announcement. Another 2014 hero, Mats Hummels is not exactly the player he was in Brazil. Then, Timo Werner’s injury left questions surrounding the side’s No. 9.

The two options for the latter are fan favorite Niclas Füllkrug of newly promoted Werder Bremen, the highest-scoring German in the Bundesliga. The other is the pundits’ favorite, 17-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko of Borussia Dortmund. In the end, both strikers head to Doha. 

Havertz and Musiala set to steal the show in first World Cup appearance

But squad depth is one thing; actually stealing the show is another. Germany has a number of options that can make a difference across the pitch. Perhaps Hansi Flick’s squad announcement points towards hints at his starting XI.

Germany’s two most likely game-changers flew conveniently under the radar yesterday.

All about Jamal at no.10

At only 19, Jamal Musiala is already an indispensable link-man and goal-scorer for Bayern Munich, Hansi Flick loves him, and complemented by his Bayern teammates, he should be Germany’s go-to inspiration in Qatar. Musiala is tearing up the Bundesliga with ease and this World Cup could make him the global star that Götze never truly was. 

Musiala’s place in the squad was never in doubt and had no need of headlines. But the media fuss around Götze could be a sweet pressure-release for Germany’s real key man.

Super Mario has indeed been in form for an attractive Frankfurt side. See the Zlatan-esque back-heeled pass preceding a goal against Hoffenheim on November 9th. But Musiala is playing his third season in a row of Champions League soccer for a truly elite side. He has the form, the top-level skillset, and the essential on-field connections with Kimmich and co. 

If global fans needed a preview to measure Musiala against previous generations of German soccer idols, he offered a masterclass in the Bundesliga’s season-opener three months ago, Frankfurt vs Bayern. Sharing the field opposite Götze, Musiala was dazzling, twisting out of tackles and creating chances at will. Götze showed flashes of class. But alongside the younger man, he looked ponderous and slow.

Don’t forget false-9 Kai

Although a Champions League decider at only 21, Havertz has struggled somewhat at Chelsea. A huge price tag, chaotic club politics, and frequent managerial changes have not helped. But Havertz has won respect and developed his game. 

Preferred at no.9 to Romelu Lukaku for long stretches of the Belgian’s last season at Stamford Bridge, and frequently filling in since, Havertz – alongside Liverpool’s Bobby Firmino – is probably the Premier League’s best exponent of the “false-9” role.

And in a German setup that has lacked a standout central striker for most of the last decade, he is used to it internationally too.

Gareth Southgate drew laughter when selecting four right-backs for England’s squad at Euro 2020. How about Müller, Havertz, Musiala, and Götze all competing as no.10 for Germany? Of course they won’t all take the field simultaneously against Japan on Nov. 23.

The likelihood is the German squad is designed for flexibility at the top-end of the pitch. Müller and Havertz can both lead the line – and have the elite experience that “just-happy-to-be-there” Füllkrug and Moukoko lack – and Götze is a reasonable stand-in for Musiala in extra time and dead rubbers.

Nineteen and 23 years old, respectively, the World Cup awaits the new era of German talent from Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Christian Schroedter

Domestic drama will soon consume the soccer spotlight once more, with the protagonist of the coming weekend being Liverpool’s new motivator in chief, Jurgen Klopp. Exchanging Brendan Rodgers’ pre- and post-match rehearsals on ‘mentality’ for the German giant’s energetic charisma has already drawn positive reviews from the British press-pack, but will the trade of ‘hunting in packs’ for the famed ‘gegenpress’ win any serious tactical accolades?

Klopp will have reconciled himself to the facts that he only has one fit player of Champions League quality to work with in his first week of competitive action (that being Philippe Coutinho), and all the expensive underachievement that caused Rodgers’ sacking makes Liverpool’s current league position a sadly fair reflection on the club. The unrealized potential of the squad is a puzzle he doesn’t have long to wrestle with. Fenway Sports Group’s expectations for a return on player investment demand delivery of a Champions League placing next spring.

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Obvious necessities, such as the reintegration of superior quality like Christian Benteke, Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson, the settling on either Mamadou Sakho or Dejan Lovren as a partner for Martin Škrtel, should be executed quickly. But two more significant problems of recent weeks were Rodgers’ failure to settle on a formation and a misuse of personnel that left Coutinho as the side’s only real penetrative threat.

The lack of invention seems to stem from a mistrust of Liverpool’s other creative outlets. Combined with the reversion to the wing back system of last season, Adam Lallana’s relegation to a substitute/Europa league role and Emre Can’s move back to defense have protected opponents from the precision and speed of thought of two of the club’s best technicians.

Early in the season, Rodgers was also indecisive about whether Jordan Ibe, with all the hope stored in him as an identikit Raheem Sterling, or Roberto Firmino, with the ridiculous price tagged on him, would get a decent run in the side. Ibe played in the opening weekend’s winning team and was them was dropped for Firmino to play in the strong showing at the Emirates. Firmino kept his place through the West Ham and Manchester United disappointments but was then injured as the formation changed. The combined effect has been a dearth of continuity in Liverpool’s attacking options and a side that repeats the curse of over-reliance on a tiny collection of key performers.

Can is one player of whom better things can be expected with Klopp in charge and may be a useful barometer for how the collective will benefit from the new manager. After his strong showing in the European under-21 championship over the summer, and with Jordan Henderson injured so early in the season, this season has been a case of missed opportunities personally as well as his misuse by the manager. Can’s non-clearance leading to Lukaku’s goal in the Merseyside derby is one example of his misplacement in defense. Much has been made of the Gerard Pique/Mats Hummels playmaking defender in recent years, but if a player can’t defend, he shouldn’t be guarding the far post.

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Can is only one of Liverpool’s players still classified ‘promising.’ Many others have stayed in that bucket for so long that they are better judged ‘unfulfilled potential.’ Klopp’s reputation for psychological transformation will be tested with this Liverpool squad, which has few natural leaders and has its most trustworthy characters either injured (Henderson) or still working their way back (Sturridge).

However, in spite of the well-bemoaned problems of mentality and underperformance, Klopp’s employment is not the only reason Liverpool fans can be optimistic. The league’s competitiveness this autumn means Liverpool are not really far off the rest of the pack. Yes, the middle-income sides are stronger than ever, but Liverpool needn’t fear anyone either. All sides have been proven beatable, and while Liverpool need something of a revolution to be title contenders, it should not be more than a few tweaks that takes them to Champions League qualification.

This summer’s recruits have been far better value for money than last year’s. James Milner has handled captaincy brilliantly, and if not the sleekest of attacking midfielders, in the absence of others’ capability he has taken that responsibility on gainfully. Bar one or two Glen Johnson-esque losses of possession and concentration, Nathaniel Clyne and Gomez have been excellent signings, and Benteke’s link-up play has been a solid rebuttal to the preseason criticism of his signing not being a proper fit.

There is a lot of talent at Klopp’s disposal, but integrating players who can perform in the final third, and thus produce or create goals, is needed if he is to propel Liverpool back into the limelight. Ibe, Lallana, Firmino, Benteke and, 30 yards back, Can – if Klopp can get the best out of these as-yet unfulfilled talents, he may just succeed where Kenny Dalglish and Rodgers’ stardust was lacking.

Given that European soccer is in the midst of its July/August silly season, there were no surprises when just as Liverpool finally parted with Raheem Sterling, helpful back-page journalists offered Reds fans the emotional solace of possible big name replacements. Marco Reus, who signed a new contract at Borussia Dortmund in February, is now, according to reports, the object of Brendan Rodgers’ £40 million attention. At the same time, there’s been a lot of movement in the possible transfer of Christian Benteke from Aston Villa to Liverpool.

In a similar way to a boy who has just been dumped being fed the lie that the prettiest girl in school is now after him, Liverpool supporters have been treated to some stellar quality gossip. Many platforms eventually source back to the UK’s Metro and Talksport, which then either cite vague ‘reports’, or each other. Fans have at least responded with comic ingenuity – a Change.org petition addressed to owner John W Henry and CEO Ian Ayre demands Reus be signed if 200,000 signatories are gained.

Is there any likelihood of the transfer? There is no concrete reason to believe so at the moment. Reus’ new contract erased the crazily cheap release clause that had encouraged Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to keep pestering Dortmund from Bavaria all winter, and he signed it when it was fairly clear, barring actually winning the UEFA Champions League (Juve knocked BvB out five weeks later), that sticking around meant he wouldn’t be playing in it for the 2015/16 campaign.

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Having sorted their managerial change before the close of last year’s catastrophe season, Dortmund are having a pleasantly quiet summer. İlkay Gündoğan signed a new contract in April, Mats Hummels has said publicly that he will stay at least another year, and although misfit Ciro Immobile has gone, the club seem set to make it through the transfer window without losing any major stars for the first Summer since 2010 (Şahin and Kagawa have since returned but departed in 2011 and 2012 respectively; 2013 Götze; 2014 Lewandowski).

However, it is also July, and the time to begin drafting those fantasy football line-ups, and there’s no reason not to day-dream. So how would Reus fit in at Liverpool if the move did come off, and how much would he be missed at Dortmund?

Reus is not as good a fit for Rodgers’ Liverpool as Sterling, not being as good a direct runner with the ball, or as dynamic a worker off it, and not as versatile positionally. Although on the ball he probably edges Philippe Coutinho, the club’s player of 2015, in terms of passing and shooting ability, his sense of timing, decision making, and spatial awareness of team-mates’ positioning, in physical terms he is a risk – compare his injury-hit 18 Bundesliga starts last term to the 33 of Roberto Firmino.

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A superior player to Lallana, Markovic and Jordan Ibe, ahead of whom he could be guaranteed to start, Reus would still take time to adjust to the Premier League. And although he could take the left-sided forward role with Coutinho playing as a central no. 10, two great technicians in theory dovetailing nicely, it is unlikely Rodgers could integrate another attacking midfielder in to the squad when he already has £90 million-worth of talent not yet settled – debut seasons for Lallana and Markovic didn’t work out but their price tags, and that of Firmino, will have another crack at being justified this year, and there will not be enough game-time for everyone.

Two things Dortmund and Liverpool have in common is their glut of under-performing creative midfielders (compare Lallana and Markovic with Kagawa, Kampl and Mkhitaryan) and their gaping need for a goal-scorer. Whilst Liverpool would be better off spending any potential Reus fee on Christian Benteke, where Reus could be most missed at Dortmund is in his support for the re-positioning of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a fully established front-man. 16 goals last term was pretty good for a converted winger in a struggling side, but Robert Lewandowski’s boots are tough to fill, and what Dortmund need from Reus this season is for him to help Aubameyang hit the net more often, as well as helping performers like Gündoğan and Şahin find their pre-injury form.

What is a tasty slice of gossip for Liverpool fans would be a nightmare for Dortmund. Wolfsburg and Gladbach’s advances last season and transfer activity since, and Leverkusen’s re-acquisition of Christoph Kramer to solidify an already talented attacking squad, mean that without Reus, Champions League qualification would be nearly impossible. Of course he could make the same difference for Liverpool, but that’s probably just fantasy football.

As the United States sees record TV viewing figures for the Women’s World Cup, what progress can be seen in Europe for the popularity of the women’s game?

Four years ago, hosts Germany also saw record TV audiences with domestic figures of just under 17 million viewers for their quarter-final loss to eventual winners Japan. Although seen as a huge disappointment for a team that went into the game as holders and favorites, the 2011 Women’s World Cup tournament was regarded as a watershed moment for the national sport. Major tabloid Bild wrote at the time that women’s soccer was now ‘finally accepted by the masses’ – the emotional journey of a nation experiencing compelling victories and defeat through new, female protagonists going a long way towards selling the whole show.

That’s not to say the battle has been fully won. Even at the time, leading periodical Der Spiegel complained that the tournament was over-hyped and showcased tactical imitations copied from the men’s game that simply weren’t attractive at the women’s slower pace. Earlier this summer, the Women’s Champions League final, staged in Berlin, even suffered the peculiarly German irony of being held on ‘Männertag’ – Men’s day, May 14. The public holiday has long been an excuse for young men to haul crate-loads of beer to the nearest park and drink with a hangover recovery safely in the bag due to the long weekend.

In actual fact, the date was perfect and the Women’s Champions League final was a huge success.

SEE MORE — Women’s soccer doesn’t need male approval or political correctness.

Although many of the young men dotted around the surrounding Mauerpark (‘Wall-park’, in which the venue sits) did not know the game was happening, the event was a confirmation of footballing power for the host country. Live on national television, a 92nd minute winner from super-sub Mandy Islacker saw FFC Frankfurt keep the title in Germany for the third successive year (Wolfsburg were winners in 2013 and 2014), and become champions for a record fourth time.

The general PR of the event was also a success. For the sixth year in a row since the women’s tournament dropped its two-legged format, the men’s and women’s finals were held in the same city, with Berlin following Madrid, London (twice), Munich, and Lisbon in building profile through UEFA’s shared branding with the men’s game.

Although the actual venue, as in the other host cities, lacked the prestige and capacity of the men’s final (Barca and Juve played at Berlin’s Olympiastadium in front of more than three-times Frankfurt and PSG’s live gate this year, and the Bernabéu, Wembley, the Allianz Arena and ‎the Estádio da Luz were similarly exclusive), the women’s game is clearly capable of selling tickets.

SEE MORE — US riding an indomitable defense into the Women’s World Cup final

In November 2014, an England-Germany friendly at Wembley outsold the English national men’s side’s most recent friendly at the same ground, as 55,000 topped the 40,000 bored by Norway going down to a Wayne Rooney penalty two months earlier. More recently, the prospect of the two countries meeting in the World Cup final wasn’t lost on the respective national media the weekend before the tournament’s semi-finals either.

In the UK, the BBC Sport website maintained England’s quarter-final victory over Canada as its major headline story into the opening Monday morning of the beloved Wimbledon Tennis tournament, and in Germany, a week after Queen Elizabeth’s state visit to Berlin and Frankfurt, public broadcaster ARD excitedly reported her grandson Prince William’s support for the English ‘lionesses’ on its dedicated tournament site.

But aside from the TV glamor of major finals and the gate receipts for Champions League host cities, the European game is showing genuine growth from the grassroots up. UEFA’s latest report on women’s soccer across its national associations shows that the continent boasts 1.2 million registered players – a fivefold increase in the last 30 years – in 51 national leagues. This is grounded on development in youth participation and training in refereeing and coaching qualifications, as well as female representation at the administrative level.

Despite Germany and England getting knocked out of the Women’s World Cup semi-finals, the women’s game in Europe will continue to prosper. Interestingly, UEFA reported that of the 49 European football associations with a national strategy for the development of the women’s game, 25 have a specific marketing strategy as well. This is a sign of things to come in what could be a huge growth industry. In advance of the Wembley friendly last November, the English FA’s national director Kelly Simmons dismissed unfair financial comparisons with the men’s game with a reminder that the men’s game has a 150 years of professional history behind it. Comparatively, the women’s professional game has barely begun.

Germany currently lead the way in Europe in terms of live match attendance (averages of 15,000 for internationals and 2,500 for club games), and whereas the men’s game may be coming to a point of market saturation – club responses to supporter protests on ticket prices for example recognize the limits of how far live gates, at least, can currently be pushed – the marketing strategists of the women’s game surely have a vast horizon to explore.

But the women’s game has no need to be seen through comparison with the men’s. As the fan base for the Germany 2011 World Cup showed four years ago, and Canada has experienced this year, the sport is well worth its viewing figures.