Liverpool FC and their treatment of youth players
The way that Liverpool treat their young players is interesting to me. They seem to fall into two groups under Klopp, and it’s curious to see how Klopp treats, and has treated, both young players and the loan system that they fit into.
Take for example, Trent Alexander-Arnold. His meteoric rise may have been accelerated because of an injury to Nathaniel Clyne before the start of the 17/18 season, but it was always clear that Jürgen Klopp intended for Trent …
Liverpool FC Summers: Four Meaningful Trips
Being a Liverpool FC supporter living in America is a different kind of commitment. You have to be an early riser to catch matches on weekend morning, you have to block out your work calendars for Champions League afternoons, and most of all you must seize any opportunity offered to you to see the Reds play if they are ever anywhere near you. Such has been the case for me since 2012 when LFC began their regular pilgrimages to North …
Pre-Season - What we've learned about Liverpool so far
With Liverpool's early group of pre-season matches drawing to a close, now is a good time to assess what we've seen from Jurgen Klopp's men so far. Although it's still early days, the first couple of weeks can go a long way to setting the tone for the forthcoming season.
Uncertainty Remains Regarding the Number One Spot
In spite of the inevitable speculation linking the Reds to several goalkeepers, Loris Karius will have been hoping to make a smooth start …
Faux Forwards and False Expectations
Aside from the strange machinations of Adenor Leonardo Bacchi, otherwise known as Tite, we are all generally aware of the value of Roberto Firmino at this point. Brazil was boring with Jesus, boisterous with Bobby, and ultimately the exclusion of the Reds' frontman would prove to be their undoing.
Back on Merseyside, Bobby Firmino has been lauded for his incredible all-around game in the middle of Liverpool's attack. He finishes his campaign with 30 goals and 14 assists in all …
Why Not Shaqiri?
Ever since Liverpool were first linked with Xherdan Shaqiri, I have found myself one of a large portion of Liverpool fans who were at once disappointed with and confused by the prospective signing of the Swiss international. Six years ago this would have been an exciting signing, with Shaqiri the prospect in high demand across Europe. Indeed, if the Liverpool of six years ago was here today, this might still be an exciting signing.
But it’s not summer 2012 and …
Assessing Liverpool's Youth Players: Who Deserves their Chance?
As Liverpool return to pre-season, the return of Pepijn Lijnders also marks a renewed optimism for Liverpool’s youth prospects: Ben Woodburn and Trent-Alexander Arnold both speak highly of their experience under the man many assume will take up the mantle of outgoing assistant Zeljko Buvac. With that re-appointment comes a voice in Klopp’s ear: one who’s able to vouch for the ability of these youngsters as Liverpool seek to address the gap between Liverpool’s youth setup at Kirkby and their …
Why Pepijn Lijnders Would be the Ideal Buvač Successor
Liverpool refuse to do things the easy way.
5-2 up in a Champions League semi-final ahead of the second leg, Jürgen Klopp would surely have been less restless had his side already confirmed a top four place, but alas the looming figure that is the tie in Rome seemed to provide enough distraction for Stoke to slip away with a point.
Surely, focus was in order. Then news broke that Klopp’s assistant coach – one of the two men who …
Why Liverpool Still Need Another Winger
Liverpool have already added one natural wide player to their squad – the exceptionally fast and talented Mo Salah, who appears to be the sort of world class game-changing signing that FSG and Klopp have promised us this summer.
However, despite bringing in a winger, there remains a solid argument that Liverpool remain a winger short – a feeling that will only have been emphasised with the news that both Sheyi Ojo and Ryan Kent are going out on loan.
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Why Liverpool's Young Talent Are Unlikely To Succeed
A lot of discussion in pre-season has been made of Liverpool’s young talents, and how much they are likely to feature for the club next season. But the sad truth is that the majority of them simply have no future at Liverpool Football Club, and it’s okay to admit that.
Looking at the current clutch of young players, and focusing specifically on those who have been in and around the first team, or have been touted as such, there is …
Are Klopp's January Decisions Costing the Reds Millions in July?
If you want to make a Liverpool supporter sick to their stomach, ask them to think back to January. It was not a fun month. What was looking like a juggernaut of a team lost Mané to AFCON, Coutinho and Matip to injury and suddenly we were struggling against lower league competition.
Klopp did what he could to right the ship and eventually found a formula that wasn’t as entertaining, but brought results and a finish in the Champions League …