Liverpool pledge to rebuild as key transfer dates signal intentions

Liverpool have underperformed this season but Jurgen Klopp is set to rebuild his squad at Anfield, with the club looking to bolster their recruitment squad as they prepare for a crucial departure.

Liverpool are ready to take on a new head of research as they plan to rebuild under Jurgen Klopp.

The German has endured a tough season at Anfield so far which has put his future in doubt. However, he is ready to return to Merseyside and the club are looking for a replacement as they prepare to welcome Dr. Leaving Ian Graham after more than a decade.

He holds a key position in the club’s recruitment department and was instrumental in the arrests of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson. Graham has set up the club’s prestigious data science department but has served notice as a replacement is sought, The Times report. The man Liverpool want is supposed to work in the game and be on the cutting edge of football data. Some of Anfield’s key squad members are approaching their 30s – some are older – and it’s accepted that the average age needs to be lowered.

Arsenal, who are currently top of the Premier League, have the youngest squad in the English top flight, which has sparked interest from Liverpool in Jude Bellingham, who will likely cost upwards of £100m if he leaves Borussia Dortmund. Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes is also a target.

Rebuilding the Liverpool squad won’t come cheap, especially given the competition for some of their transfer targets. The Reds broke their transfer record over the summer but may have to start over if they want to add Bellingham. It would be a big sign of commitment from FSG, who have been open to offers for the club when looking for new investment opportunities.

Jamie Carragher recently assessed the squad in the overlap saying: “The issues with Liverpool are that they are unhappy with injuries and there has been poor team management. Jordan Henderson has taken a lot from the supporters of “Liverpool lately. But he’s done his job.” Jordan Henderson joined Liverpool when he was 21 and he’s 31 now and he’s won it all. He shouldn’t be playing every week now, but with the bad team management he is playing week after week.”

Klopp has been aggressive at press conferences this season as the media questioned him about his side’s underperformance. They are yet to win a league game in 2023 but the German is more committed than ever, having signed a contract until 2026 last season.

The outgoing Graham was an integral part of Klopp’s appointment in 2015. He replaced Brendan Rodgers shortly after leaving Dortmund. His final year with the Bundesliga side was disappointing, but Graham explained how their campaign, in which they were bottom of the points, was an anomaly given their performance metrics.

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Former West Ham United forward Frank McAvennie has said the return of Virgil van Dijk, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota from their respective injuries would help Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez.

Van Dijk, Jota, Firmino

The 23-year-old Nunez recently made headlines for his inconsistent finish in front of the Merseyside shirt. Since joining Benfica last summer for an initial £64m fee, he has scored 10 goals and three assists in 26 appearances in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Friday (10 February) that Van Dijk, Firmino, Jota and summer loanee Arthur Melo were back in first-team training. However, none of the four players are expected to qualify for the Merseyside derby on Monday 13 February. During an interaction with Football Insider, McAvennie was asked what he thought of the return of Van Dijk, Jota and Firmino. He replied:

“Although it would be nice to have just one of them back. A 50% Van Dijk is better than the others. [Joel] Matip looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights [against Wolverhampton Wanderers]. Van Dijk won’t let the players get past him and that He’s a good central defender.”

McAvennie claimed that Jota would share the burden of Nunez to take the lead and that Firmino would complement the Uruguayan. He said:

“Jota scores for fun. Just having Firmino’s movement and touch would be good for Nunez. They miss [Sadio] Mane because it was a big loss. But Firmino will help the players around him. I don’t think they are far away, but you can see Jürgen is not happy.”

The Reds currently sit 10th in the 2022-23 Premier League table with just 29 points from 20 games.

Paul Merson offers a prediction for the upcoming PL clash between Liverpool and Everton

In his column for Sportskeeda, Arsenal great Paul Merson predicted a 2-0 win for an undersized Liverpool side in their Premier League clash with rivals Everton at Anfield. He has written:

“This is a good match for Liverpool to bounce back. It’s the Merseyside derby and the fans will be ready. Everton will sit up and absorb the pressure. They will work to score a goal from a set piece.” They will have 10 men behind the ball and only one in front.”

Merson, who won seven trophies with the Gunners, continued:

“Liverpool’s defense has been everywhere this season, but it won’t be of much use to Everton. Jurgen Klopp’s team will have to defend their set pieces because that’s what Everton will live on. I’d be shocked if they didn’t I won’t win this game on Monday.”

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp talks to his players

Liverpool made three changes to their 24-man Champions League squad in the second half of the season, including Cody Gakpo, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Reds have made full use of their three allocated changes, including their January signing and midfield duo, who were both ruled out in the first half of the season through injury.