Entirely agree with this. Crucial to make it a habit.
But let's face it - WITH Coutinho we were not nailed on for a top four this season. We've only just earned ourselves a tiny cushion (ironically thanks to our last 3 points at Burnley when Coutinho didn't play).
Coutinho was not waltzing us through to a Champions League place but I think that the addition of van Dijk may save some points that could. Time will tell on that.
Right here right now I still think our priorities 1) another keeper and 2) a forward to cover Firmino/Salah.
I agree a keeper would be my top priority. Someone who would make an instant impact like VVD. Oblak and Alisson are my favourites
But I still think we'll miss many of Coutinho's attributes in this squad, such as vision, passing, set pieces, and also positionally, as he was the best left sided player we had.
We probably won't find a like for like replacement, but we could do it in parts.
For example: with Thomas Lemar, we'd have a player who's well suited to playing on the left, and who, in my opinion, can also play as a 10 or perhaps even as CM if necessary. I don't really watch French football on a regular basis to be honest, but I did see a bit of Monaco last season, including live at the Etihad, and I feel he's that good.
We'd still be missing the "inside forward" type of play that Coutinho offers, though, cutting inside from the left with his right. And as we say, we need cover for Firmino - if he's injured, we have no one even close to resemble what he offers, Solanke is so far behind it's not even funny, Sturridge is unreliable and I think it unrealistic to expect much from Ings at this point.
So we could potentially sign a player who could offer a bit of both. Say Gonçalo Guedes from PSG/Valencia is a very good inside forward, as is Lozano from PSV. Can they also play Firmino's role? Not sure, but Lozano most likely yes. And then we could probably see two players incoming and be stronger as a result, squad wise.
Well anyway, I trust Klopp to find the right man. I'm not sure if I trust LFC to get him at the right time, but Klopp's eye for talent is quite obvious.