One positive has to be Bajcetic’s emergence. Jones’ good form towards the end of the season is another one, and Gakpo is a positive as well imo. As you say, Trent’s new positioning is intriguing and allows him to express himself even better than before.
Of course, the negatives outweigh the positives by a long stretch.
On reflection, I feel really sorry for Klopp in his current predicament. As everyone saw, we were dramatically short at times during this season, especially in midfield, and we paid dearly for it.
To now lose two further key components of our midfield in Millie and Bobby (our first defender on the pitch when he played, and a consistent link between midfield and attack), and two great midfield squaddies in Ox and Naby (hurt by repeated injuries, but with an irreprocheable team mentality), must be a real kick in the teeth. Jones and Bajcetic will really have to be in top form and not injure themselves again, or we’ll be short in quality depth again, even if we bring in the two/three new midfielders we need.
Also, we have considerably lost appeal for potential new prospects, due to having missed out on the CL. I genuinely don’t know how Klopp and co. will navigate that cliff, but probably they’ll be patient and look out for longer term prospects, rebuilding the team with young talented players in the Elliot/Carvalho mould.
I remember this season being worried for at least half through it. Genuinely thought we were going to be in the bottom half of the table. I seriously thought Jürgen was going to walk away.
However, I think we did very well to get top 5, considering all the injuries the team had.