: Daniel Sturridge appears to have earned himself another chance at Liverpool from Jurgen Klopp. The injury-plagued striker has finally returned to full fitness of late and highlighted his talents once again over the weekend. Sturridge scored and shone at the London Stadium on Sunday as Liverpool won 4-0 against West Ham, who are interested in signing the Reds star. But Klopp recognises the 27-year-old’s ability to offer when available, insisting he does have a future at Anfield. “A fit Sturridge is an unbelievable player,” Klopp told The Times. “That’s a pity of the situation, not often enough but he’s now fit, spot on, trained two or three weeks.” When asked if Sturridge has a future at Liverpool, Klopp replied: “Of course.”
Whoopee However, Klopp is delighted with the options he already has at his disposal and the efforts they’ve exerted over the course of this campaign, and feels the club’s season could have been even more fruitful had luck with injuries been kinder at times. The manager told Liverpoolfc.com: “I am very happy with the [current] squad. The problem is, I’m not sure if it’s my language or if nobody wants to understand when I say that we could have had a few more points if we would have had more luck with injuries. “I don’t want to say that was the problem or whatever, but it was the case. We had a season without European football – yes, we had three tournaments, but that’s normal, so I thought the squad was 100 per cent big enough and we had everything we needed. “[There were] too many injured players at the same moment, especially if they are injured in January or not involved, like Sadio. It is a very intense time, it’s not like we play and then have exactly the same fitness level after the game and then after the next game, after the next game and after the next game. We are not machines. It is really intense what we are doing in this job. “So that was one problem and having one more player in this moment, yes maybe it would’ve helped, but in a lot of other moments when they were all fit in the early part of the season, I’m not sure it would’ve helped the players to develop in the same manner as they did. “Of course, we have to improve the squad and of course we have to bring in quality, but you can imagine it’s difficult to find better players than ours because they are already really good. It’s not that there’s weakness here, weakness there, that’s not how pundits discuss it, [they say] ‘he’s not good enough and he’s not good enough’. But if you always judge them in these moments, how could development work then? “So, so far, so good; squad really good, we want to be better [and] we will be better next year, 100 per cent. That’s the job to do, we need more players of course, because we are in Europe for sure, and so we need more players, 100 per cent. We need a wider squad, and that’s what we will have.”
Jürgen Klopp outlines plan to expand LFC squad this summer Jürgen Klopp has confirmed Liverpool will look to bolster their squad this summer with the prospect of more games next season due to participation in Europe – but believes finding that necessary additional quality won't be an easy task. The Reds can secure a top-four finish – and with it, a place in next season’s Champions League qualifiers – if they defeat Middlesbrough at Anfield this Sunday on the final day of 2016-17’s Premier League. Should they not achieve that objective, continental football will still be assured for next term, albeit in the Europa League. And that prospect of competing in an extra tournament, as well as looking to improve the overall calibre of the current squad, means Liverpool will be aiming to expand the ranks ahead of the new season. However, Klopp is delighted with the options he already has at his disposal and the efforts they’ve exerted over the course of this campaign, and feels the club’s season could have been even more fruitful had luck with injuries been kinder at times. The manager told Liverpoolfc.com: “I am very happy with the [current] squad. The problem is, I’m not sure if it’s my language or if nobody wants to understand when I say that we could have had a few more points if we would have had more luck with injuries. “I don’t want to say that was the problem or whatever, but it was the case. We had a season without European football – yes, we had three tournaments, but that’s normal, so I thought the squad was 100 per cent big enough and we had everything we needed. “[There were] too many injured players at the same moment, especially if they are injured in January or not involved, like Sadio. It is a very intense time, it’s not like we play and then have exactly the same fitness level after the game and then after the next game, after the next game and after the next game. We are not machines. It is really intense what we are doing in this job. “So that was one problem and having one more player in this moment, yes maybe it would’ve helped, but in a lot of other moments when they were all fit in the early part of the season, I’m not sure it would’ve helped the players to develop in the same manner as they did. “Of course, we have to improve the squad and of course we have to bring in quality, but you can imagine it’s difficult to find better players than ours because they are already really good. It’s not that there’s weakness here, weakness there, that’s not how pundits discuss it, [they say] ‘he’s not good enough and he’s not good enough’. But if you always judge them in these moments, how could development work then? “So, so far, so good; squad really good, we want to be better [and] we will be better next year, 100 per cent. That’s the job to do, we need more players of course, because we are in Europe for sure, and so we need more players, 100 per cent. We need a wider squad, and that’s what we will have.” http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/fir...outlines-plan-to-expand-lfc-squad-this-summer
I do think Klopp's limited English hinders him in getting his point across to the media and fans sometimes. I also think he has an old-school attitude to management, something that a lot of fans are struggling to come to terms with. These days, top clubs tend to buy the ready-made high achievers (or those nearly there), whereas he is much more interested in developing the team his own way. This philosophy is going to baffle many who are used to making the clarion-call for big name signings all the time. I'm sure he'll go for one or two when they're available, but I still think we'll see a lot of new signings that many fans aren't overly impressed with, and the policy of trying to develop from within.
Only have to look at signings made so far. Two big big signings in Mane and Gini, both were decent players but they were a bit left field. Especially Gini as he's playing on totally different role. Others that hat have been cheaper are imports from Germany that are relatively unknown in Matip, Klavan and Karius. Think knows we also prob can't compete with the Manc clubs and Chelsea in terms of finance as well as europes other top clubs so have to do slightly different and look at next level players to develop and become world class players. He did it at Dortmund, picking up young players from elsewhere and developing them and fitting them into his team and style.
I think matip was very well known and the day klopp arrived at anfield he odered negotiations to get him begin. 2 months later it was precontract agreed. Wijnaldum was deffo left field. Mane was not risked by utd under van gaal. We decided early on him the day he beat us single handed from 2-0 down. Karius was interesting pick. But for me as a young keeper he was cheap.. and k own to klopp. After that... i think the rest were not precisely anything bar filler.
I trust Klopp more than his predecessors in that I think he'll insist on the exact players he wants...even if they are for development rather than finished article. Obviously he's not always going to get his first pick and I defended him not buying in January if he didn't believe what he could buy was good enough. Yes we were unlucky with injuries in a year without European football but injuries to the first 11 will happen no matter how many competitions we are in. But the squad was lacking in depth no doubt. And we are always looking to improve ygat first 11. He addresses the width problem in that interview which is good. And I know he's not exactly going to throw the existing players under the bus by saying they aren't good enough. There's also the idea that we don't want to come across as desperate before we buy. But anyone thinking the current first 11 nevermind squad is good enough to challenge on the major fronts next year or even the year after with developments is mad. For me personally. This is the first window I'm really going to judge him as a manager and the clubs willingness to support him. He's had time to evaluate what he can do with the existing players and IMO there's still too many that just won't cut it. We'll see in August lol.
Same here. Backed him up when didn't sign anyone in Jan as was obviously not right time to get the players he wants. It does seem out refruitment team and manager are much more synched up and he has a better eye for a player at that top level than maybe Rodgers had, he a more experienced and knows other leagues better so probably has more contacts etc. I think next year is the year to proper judge. Would have had couple of proper windows to get his players, couple years to implement tactics and get used to league etc. Not saying shoukd sack him if we do poorly next year but we should definitely be looking to win something and continue to challenge at top end with minimum target being top 4.
Let City, United and Chelsea fight over the big money, ready made players who aren't guaranteed to perform. Our results against the big teams with big players have been superb with our under rated players who 'would never get into the starting XI of the top teams'. Thinking James Rodriguez this summer who I honestly wouldn't even consider, but could see other teams going for. A few extra options to change the game and our forwards aren't looking too shabby. The rest though... He's brought in Gini and Mane who've become important players, but were well below the radar of other clubs. He'll probably continue to do the same. Not so sure on the buying young to develop though; who can say how long he'll be the manager for? Does he really have that much time to wait? Part of him may be thinking about the long term of the club as a whole, but he also has to consider the short term improvement season by season (which we are making!) however should we get into the CL, he'll need more focus on the Gini and Mane type players - even Matip, despite costing zip. Experienced enough to step in and make a difference now, still time to improve and grow. Our squad is nowhere near deep enough to cope with the CL right now. Ignoring departures, we're looking at at least 4 players needed just to ensure we've got a bench that can make a difference and cover for injuries.
Not by accident though, it was cut significantly last summer to clear the #deadwood knowing we didn't have European football and would invest heavily again We bought 6 and sold 13 with -£7m net. Get top 4 and we'll sell 4 buy 8 spending £100m net
I agree and this is who spurs have reached where they have reached They poached alderweirld sure but aside form that they have been the ones taking good risks like alli. LFC could have taken a risk on VVD for example but Rogers was told he "was not for him" Klopp needs to use his eyes and ignore michael edwards big style.
That's exactly what I've been thinking when I've heard that jibe. They're obviously good enough in that type of game, it's the ones up against stubborn, organised defences they struggle. It's up to Klopp to find a way to break them down, either with a different approach or different players - or most likely a combination of both.
We've still got a lot of dead wood to shift! Sturridge due to injuries Sahko cos he's a c*ck Lucas - love him but goodbye Stewart - not good enough Moreno - say no more Ings - constant crock Others in the cusp - Gomez and Ojo who promised much but delivered little.....for different reasons it has to be said. So as we are in European football, we need the squad depth. So say 5 additional players to our current squad. But if we lose the top 6, that means we'd have to buy 11 players to prepare the squad for Europe.
I think they need to have a bit more bottle example is clyne. I mean how long do you go before either he, or the cb inside him or the supposed Rw ahead of him just has a row.. 2 years? 3? I mean its at a point that matip will play the ball to him and the guy doesn't even look forward. he controls it negatively (not opening his body to play forward) and knocks it inside or right back to the CB. When will someone get the bollocks out of him or him eat the bollocks out of the guys not running channels Its obvious that it takes too long to move the ball and get up the pitch. and then when we do most players are coming away from the box not getting in there on runs or trying to get behind teams the odd time we might get a milner or clyne in behind theres nobody to play a dangerous low ball to! However I feel we overachieved in the top 6 this season and cannot rely on teams letting us do that every year. The bread and butter are against bottom half. the top 6 is the gravy.
yes and no. yes to all of the baove players going. not to 11. examples: we have too many no 9s if we play 1 no 9. sturrudge, origi, ings.. firmino. we need TWO not 4. We've not had sahko at all so we just have proved we need a CB to make 4 cbs. lucas playing proved that. nothings changed there 2 lbs are needed, nothings changed there Overall .. 3 GK: I think we have them 2 RB. i think we have them 2 RCBs. I think we have them (matip and lovren) 2 LCBs. klavan is emergency player. NEED1 1st choice LCB. 2 LBs; we don't have. NEED 2. Midfield: no 6/pivot/what you like to call it. Can? hmmm. Henderson?. NEED 1 here No 8/box to boxwhat you want to call it. Wijnaldum, can, henderson, lallan, coutinho? we have lots i nthis position enough even? but quality? LW/LF: real weakness. Just coutinho. NEED 1 RW/RF: real weakness. just mane NEED 1. ST: firmino.... and who? So I could make a case for 6 or 7 players in before I start talking about the quality of the squad. 3 defenders, one CM and 3 attackers. only then would i wonder about are the rest up to it. I could play a consistent formation, system and team for the whole season with the sales above and the buys highlighted That owuld be very difficult to acheive IMO even in 2 windows so we will see
As long as we buy players who fit our style, then I'm happy. Buying someone like ballotelli and Benteke for a high pressing team is not going to work. We need to buy full backs who can attack and defend, centre bscks who are comfortable playing a high line, all action midfielders.
I'm not disagreeing, but I don't think this is the full picture. If he receives the ball and the opposition already has 9 players within 30 yards of their own goal his options are limited. Getting in behind is difficult in these circumstances - for anybody. Any team that spends most of the game in the opposition half, with a lot of possession, is going to find breakaway opportunities scarce - and although we could improve, I don't think that's the main problem. Pace isn't enough in the circumstances where we've had most difficulty this term - trickery is needed, either individual or combination. (This is where someone like Sturridge is invaluable - if only we could keep the bugger fit.) We weren't at all lucky against the other top teams - what we got we deserved. Ok, we may not do quite so well next time round, but equally we could do better against lower opposition. My point here is that the team is not as bad as some seem to think, but there are weak areas which need attention. If a team wants to play us in a game of football we'll give them a game - if they want an attack v defence training session it's a different matter.
yes it takes quite a while for the ball to come sometimes but i regular see him get it and I watch cos its a bug bear. nobody moves wide for that outball.... very very rare. on the other side milner has never an option and is often completely isolated and nobody even comes closer to him for a pass What I want to see is guys running those channels and getting a forward pass up their quickly. Clyne is guilty IMO of not even looking any more rather than balling out his supposed rw partner. I think getting in behind is a hard thing yes but even if theres just 6 yards behind you have to go stretch teams. we don't do it wide or in the box and there were at least 2 occasions in southampton game where a guy in the 6 yard box and a ball across the face was a goal. we played both back and were easily cut out. Deffo lovren and milner slow it up too much and out CMs take too long to look for positive ball
