Liverpool’s approach to the transfer window has been frustrating for their fans. While Manchester City have signed Rodrigo Hernandez and Angelino, Liverpool have yet to make a major signing. However, a major positive to their pre-season antics has been the emergence of their young starlets. Jurgen Klopp will be delighted.
Liverpool Must Trust Jurgen Klopp
Ki-Jana Hoever was excellent in the recent friendly against Lyon. Trent Alexander-Arnold was 18-years-old when he made his competitive debut for the Reds. Since then, the boyhood Liverpool fan has gone on to become one of the world’s best full-backs. Hoever, 17, plays with the confidence of a much older player. Memphis Depay called Hoever the ‘young king’ after his impressive level of performance, as reported by the Liverpool Echo. One would hope that Klopp is willing to let Hoever prove himself in the real matches.
Adam Lewis and Yasser Larouci could be options that can step-in for Andy Robertson but both remain very young and inexperienced. Still, Alberto Moreno was often seen as a bit of a liability so the barometer is not too high. The lack of transfer activity means that pressure will be on these youngsters to show the watching public of their talents; they have to show that the club were right to avoid heavy investment.
Liverpool have made their bed and they must lie in it. They cannot say their youngsters are not ready because they haven’t signed back-up options. A big club should be looking at roughly two players per position and Liverpool should be no different. It is highly probable that Klopp will resort to playing James Milner in multiple positions again, this season, but a big club should be more prepared than that. Playing a 33-year-old in a multitude of positions if anything but sustainable.
Klopp Needs Time
Klopp has always been confident in his ability to develop youngsters. Alexander-Arnold is his poster-boy for giving youth a chance. He will also point to how Pep Guardiola let Jadon Sancho slip through the net; the former City youngster joined Borussia Dortmund for £7m and now holds a transfer valuation of over £100m. His reputation grew because he was given the chances to succeed.
Perhaps this is what he sees in Rhian Brewster. Klopp has already promised the 19-year-old some action over the campaign, as reported by the Daily Mirror. He began pre-season in confident fashion but has struggled to make an impact in more recent matches. Nonetheless, the player has impressed his manager and, unlike Guardiola, Klopp seems like a manager who is much more forgiving with youngsters and their development.
The Liverpool manager clearly has faith in his rising stars and, as frustrating as it may seem to supporters, they must respect the lack of transfer activity. He has revolutionised the football club and made Anfield a special place to be again. Let’s not forget that this team finished on 97 points, last season, and still finished second! That is a remarkable set of points and it is difficult to top.
Tomatoes and Tomatoes!
The Reds have a different modus operandi to Manchester City. The Citizens will react smartly and efficiently if Guardiola sees a deficiency within his squad. Klopp will not be as quick to dismiss a player and his backing isn’t quite to the level of Guardiola’s backing. Nonetheless, Liverpool fans must respect their manager and what he believes in. One thing is for sure: it’s never boring!
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