Major exits from Anfield are underway. Recently agreed fees for Jordan Ibe and Sergi Canos, and the departures of Martin Skrtel, Kolo Toure and Jose Enrique are just the beginning of a major squad overhaul. Jurgen Klopp has displayed precision in the reshaping of the squad he inherited. Arsenal away on the opening day will see a very changed playing staff representing the Reds.
Assessment Period
Klopp inherited an underachieving squad from Brendan Rodgers. The squad on his arrival was a non-functioning blend of expensive recent signings and holdover veteran players. Instead of immediately spending at the first opportunity, Klopp wisely chose to use his first partial season as an assessment period. Liverpool did enjoy good runs in the cups and reached two finals. An eighth-placed finish in the league was, however, a true measure of the stagnation of the squad.
Culture Change
Departures of fringe players, like Jordan Rossiter and Jerome Sinclair point to a change in policy at Anfield. Brendan Rodgers preferred to loan promising younger players out. In contrast, Klopp expressed that he preferred to develop younger players as a unit at Anfield. Recent releases of many long term academy players such as Daniel Cleary and Alex O’Hanlon display decisiveness. Klopp will now expect to mould a fresh playing generation as a unit in the under 21 competition.
Major Exits From Anfield Are Underway
Klopp was busy scheming in the early part of 2016. Long term strategy on how best to develop Liverpool’s academy also formulated in this period. The German coach then produced two key signings in Marko Grujic and Joel Matip. Matip will replace Skrtel in the squad and Grujic will most likely replace Lucas Levia and or Joe Allen. Liverpool’s summer signings so far have been strategically recruited. Sadio Mane it seems will replace the departing Jordan Ibe. Loris Karius will push Simon Mignolet for the starting goalkeeper role. Transfers in and expected outgoings such as Christan Benteke, Lucas Levia and others will continue through the summer.
Klopp’s Reds
In analyzing these signings and departures/ possible departures so far, it is hard not to admire the efficiency that Klopp has displayed. Summer is still young, and more transfer dealings will be completed before the first kick off of the new season. However, even at this early stage of pre- season it is assured that next season will see the debut of Klopp’s Reds.
