Spending the summer trimming his Liverpool squad of deadwood, Jurgen Klopp says he was inspired by the quality in the club’s youth ranks.
The German oversaw the departures of 15 players from his senior ranks this summer, either on permanent deals or, in the case of Adam Bogdan, Andre Wisdom and Lazar Markovic, on loan.
This showcased Klopp’s ruthless edge in the transfer market, and allowed him to overhaul his squad swiftly and efficiently.
But with the 49-year-old bringing in just seven players to replace those who left Merseyside, his squad is looking comparatively thin for 2016/17.
However, without European competition this season, this is understandable, and as Klopp explained on Friday, this provides him with an opportunity to blood the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ovie Ejaria.
“The thing is [the squad] was really busy and it should not be that busy," he explained.
“Our squad was not too small, not too big, but we found a few really good young players in this pre-season where it was like ‘wow’.
“It’s maybe a little bit too early for them, but not much too early. They are close."
Alexander-Arnold and Ejaria starred alongside fellow youngster Ben Woodburn during pre-season, and the duo have spent the season so far training alongside the first team.
This provides Liverpool’s youngsters with a great opportunity to establish themselves when called upon this season, with cup competitions an ideal juncture to impress Klopp, for example.
Aside from Alexander-Arnold, Ejaria and Woodburn, Harry Wilson, Cameron Brannagan, Pedro Chirivella and Adam Phillips are among those that can hope for a chance in the first-team, while Joe Gomez, Marko Grujic and Sheyi Ojo are still on the fringes despite their senior status.
The quality in Liverpool’s academy should negate the gamble of selling players such as Joe Allen, Luis Alberto and Jordon Ibe, though Klopp admitted there was an element of risk.
“I had to make hard decisions because we had too many players," he continued.
“If we couldn’t sell them then we did loans because that’s how it was. Otherwise we’d be standing here talking about thirty-something players. You have to make decisions.
“If you sell a player and he really performs for the next club you just say: ‘sorry, we didn’t see it or whatever’. You have to be ready for that.
“But a busy transfer window like that shouldn’t happen too often. And it will not happen.
“But we all agreed on this. I’ve been here 11 months now and this is what we needed to do in the summer."
Klopp now has his squad settled after a summer overhaul, and having tidied up his group dramatically, can now focus on nurturing the Reds’ excellent academy talents in focal roles.
Klopp overview of summer activity
posted on 12/9/16
comment by *** TopGeezah - The Original and Best Geezah *** (U15856)
posted 3 minutes ago
If Pochettino told us we can't sing his name we'd all be scratching our heads and reaching for the medicine cabinet
Is anyone able to supply a rational reason for Klopps behaviour on this one?
(P.s I quite like Klopp and thought he was awesome at Dortmund)
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Actually do some research, then maybe you wouldn't make yourself look such a prized plum.
posted on 12/9/16
comment by *** TopGeezah - The Original and Best Geezah *** (U15856)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Adam 'The Interview' Lallana (U20650)
posted 4 minutes ago
he thought the fans were chanting like the game was over and wanted them to stop
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I'd buy that if he didn't celebrate like a madman on the touchline every time pool score
It's like I will celebrate and go crazy but you fans can't sing my name.
Methinks there's more to it
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Do Spurs fans chant for Pochettino? Not sure his name is fantastic for chats!
posted on 12/9/16
comment by *** TopGeezah - The Original and Best Geezah *** (U15856)
posted 5 seconds ago
comment by Adam 'The Interview' Lallana (U20650)
posted 4 minutes ago
he thought the fans were chanting like the game was over and wanted them to stop
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I'd buy that if he didn't celebrate like a madman on the touchline every time pool score
It's like I will celebrate and go crazy but you fans can't sing my name.
Methinks there's more to it
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If you'd watched the game, you'd have seen that he visibly checked and stopped himself from over celebrating, as he had lambasted himself for doing it during the Arsenal game.
posted on 12/9/16
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posted on 12/9/16
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posted on 12/9/16
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posted on 12/9/16
I expected him to do this in the summer.
Cull the squad of some players that weren't suited or weren't good enough and make some space for young talent to get a look in.
He loves improving players, but they have to have the base of attributes he is looking for in the first place.
If they don't have them then he will get rid pretty quickly.
posted on 12/9/16
I think he's done very well in the transfer window, apart from maybe the left back issue but hopefully Milner will continue to do well there. I think Klopp could be here for a long time.
posted on 13/9/16
I see so many similarities with Klopp now, and Poch last Summer. Trimming the squad, not buying massive stars, but building a club he wants. 2nd season after assessing in the 1st.
I was very impressed in our game. I fancy Liverpool to be strong this season, and I would not rule out a title tilt
posted on 13/9/16
comment by *** TopGeezah - The Original and Best Geezah *** (U15856)
posted 23 hours, 15 minutes ago
comment by Adam 'The Interview' Lallana (U20650)
posted 4 minutes ago
he thought the fans were chanting like the game was over and wanted them to stop
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I'd buy that if he didn't celebrate like a madman on the touchline every time pool score
It's like I will celebrate and go crazy but you fans can't sing my name.
Methinks there's more to it
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There was more to that interview, in fact in the same sentence he said to only sing that at the end of matches.
As singing that during gives a sense of it being a fait accomplis...and our defenders don't need any more reasons to be lackadaisical.