Squad goals: Klopp armed with killer options for Liverpool beyond first XI
The 49-year-old’s selection dilemma at Anfield is a “luxury problem” as the German has no shortage of quality at his disposal beyond the first 11
“You can be a really, really good player and be not even in the squad. That’s possible, and it’s a sign of the strength of LFC” – Jurgen Klopp.
Daniel Sturridge has won the Premier League, the Champions League as well as the FA Cup. Alberto Moreno counts the European Under-21 Championships and Europa League as honours. Divock Origi ended last season – his first in English football – on 10 goals, two of which came against Borussia Dortmund with another sparking a 4-0 Merseyside Derby demolition of Everton.
Only one of Germany international Emre Can or Netherlands midfielder Gini Wijnaldum can partner Jordan Henderson in the centre of the park.
Simon Mignolet has amassed 155 Liverpool appearances. Lucas Leiva has 319, stretching all the way back to 2007, recorded under five different managers.
Ragnar Klavan is the captain of Estonia and Marko Grujic is a Golden Boy nominee. Danny Ings had broken into the England set-up before his ACL injury last October, and is now trying to break beyond playing for Liverpool U23s.
When Klopp opts to refresh his squad, as will be the case in Tuesday night’s League Cup fourth-round clash against Tottenham at Anfield, he’ll be fortunate enough to select from the quality options listed above.
Liverpool’s first XI are on fire, but those on the fringes can also spark an inferno. The Reds boss is in no short supply of experience and expertise in the squad, with a fine supply of gifted youngsters to sprinkle on top.
All that with Mamadou Sakho, who has captained France as well as Paris Saint-Germain, probably not even entering the equation given his indiscretions ovr the past six months.
Klopp’s description of his selection dilemma as a “luxury problem” is certainly apt. Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, also due to rotate his roster for Tuesday’s EFL Cup fourth round tie, has highlighted his counterpart’s enviable position. “They have a very strong squad,” he said.
“If they play Mignolet, he’s an international goalkeeper. Only the last few games he has been on the bench. If not [Roberto] Firmino, they play Sturridge. If not [Philippe] Coutinho, they play Wijnaldum. If not Henderson, they play Lucas.”
This is exactly the situation Klopp prepped for when undertaking Liverpool’s reconstruction in the summer. The 49-year-old was determined to create a culture of elevation among the group, partly by facilitating greater competition.
“We decided to push ourselves from the inside, so we brought only quality in, we had only quality and kept only quality,” he explained.
“When we have finished our squad, these are our boys, no doubt from my side, I trust everybody. Then they have to push themselves and then push each other with performances.
“Of course you can play a bad pass and stay in the team, of course you can miss a chance and stay in the team, but you have to know that if you do a little bit less there’s someone else of your quality who is ready to come in.
“You have to be a team. We need to have this quality. In the end, everyone who has the willing to be part of this is so welcome.
“The signings are not because this player isn’t good enough or this player isn’t good enough. It’s about about having more options.”
Those who are named on the teamsheet for the Tottenham test know it’s a small window to gnaw at the heels of the regular starters.
They are also aware that in order to truly impress the backroom staff, they need to dazzle as part of the collective and not through individual actions. This stimulates a win-win scenario for Klopp’s side.
