Liverpool
Jürgen Klopp just threw down the gauntlet for one star as key Liverpool trait getting stronger
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Jurgen Klopp has just thrown down the gauntlet for a star as Liverpool’s key attribute strengthens
Jurgen Klopp has presented a Liverpool star with a new challenge and he will continue to increase the difficulty in the weeks and months to come.
Liverpool’s form over the last eight games has seen Jurgen Klopp’s side complete their best run of the season. It even gave them a slim chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season, while Curtis Jones and Trent Alexander-Arnold resurface.
However, it also coincided with Harvey Elliott taking a back seat and being somewhat overlooked.
Prior to Liverpool’s unbeaten run, the 20-year-old was ever-present in the Liverpool squad, the last man to feature in every game this season. But then he wasn’t included in the squad against Chelsea and has since spent most of his time on the bench, playing in just two of Klopp’s last eight games.
It was a new challenge for Elliott. This is undoubtedly partly due to the new system used by Klopp, which requires a lot more defensive work from the right midfielder. Another part of that was the way Curtis Jones played on the left side of midfield, with the academy graduate being hard to lose in that form.
When Elliott played, he didn’t quite take his chance either. Klopp showed confidence in him by starting him against Tottenham, but Elliott was the first to be substituted just after the hour mark.
And in the next match against Fulham he only had six minutes.
Undoubtedly a great talent, Elliott has yet to find the right role for him in this Liverpool side. Not really a midfielder, but not a winger either.
Of course, his best performance had come just before his dismissal from the team. He was particularly impressive against Manchester United in Liverpool’s 7-0 victory. Often criticized for his defensive ability, there has certainly been an improvement in that side of his game as well.
But then starts against Bournemouth and Manchester City, in which Elliott struggled to impress – as did the whole Liverpool squad to be fair – seemed to derail his progress.
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At age 20, Elliott is no longer a teenager. Of course, development in football is never binary, but he is facing a crucial and perhaps decisive moment in his career.
He is now at an age where he should have a regular and consistent impact on the first team.
Liverpool are expected to sign several midfielders this summer in what will be a major squad revamp. The battle for places in the starting eleven will intensify for Elliott, and as a result he will have to raise his level of performance even further next season.
That’s not a bad thing. Historically it has been very difficult to break into this Liverpool team and this key trait is making a comeback. Klopp has run the gauntlet in this regard by abandoning his once ubiquitous presence and the challenge will increase as signings come through the door.
Elliott has already averaged 0.28 goals per 90 minutes for Liverpool this season, with a total of five goals and two assists. To his credit, none of Liverpool’s midfielders have averaged so many goals in all competitions this season. Curtis Jones is second closest at 0.19. Elliott clearly has a unique quality to the roster and a lot to offer. Maybe Klopp just decided to give him some rest after a busy season. Whatever the reason for his exile, one thing is clear. Elliott needs to try his luck next season and build on his current campaign while continuing his development.
Also…
Gary Neville sends clear message to Liverpool ownership amid £30-40m transfer claim
Jurgen Klopp has overseen years of success with shrewd deals but he may need to spend big this summer.
Gary Neville believes that Liverpool need to spend ‘serious money’ this summer in order to challenge and compete with Europe’s best next season.
The Reds have endured an underwhelming season – by their own standards – as qualification for the Champions League looks unlikely and they’ve also failed to progress far in any other competition.
In the meantime, Manchester City are on for a potential treble and sit 20 points clear of Liverpool, Arsenal have improved and the emergence of the likes of Newcastle and Brighton mean Jurgen Klopp has to find a way to bridge the gap next season. And Neville believes their salvation lies in the transfer market.
“Jurgen Klopp has to be supported. He was supported a number of years ago when they fell short [of the league] and pushed themselves in the transfer market. They’re going to have to go there again this summer because other teams are going to invest.” Neville said during The Gary Neville Podcast.
“Klopp’s strength over the last six or seven years has been in the quality of his football but also the strength of recruitment. He has been able to get the most out of players that haven’t cost stupid amounts, Van Dijk and Allison aside and Nunez of course is the one he needs to get the most out of next season.”
“But you look at those £30m, £40m signings of Jota, Salah, Mane, Robertson, they have been absolutely outstanding. They will have to do a bit of that, but they will also have to put down some serious money on a couple of players.”
Liverpool have struggled to compete financially with the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City in recent years, as the likes of Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouaméni have eluded them.
Now their targets include Alexis Mac Allister, Mason Mount and Ryan Gravenberch – as a midfield rebuild has become a priority with inconsistent performances this season as well as players preparing to leave on a free transfer after the end of the current season.
In terms of the ‘serious money’ that Neville is talking about, Mac Allister and Mount are both reported to cost in the region of £60-70m each – but considering Thiago has been their only midfield signing since 2018, it’s time for the club to fund these signings that are evidently imperative to their future successes
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