Premier League: Why Jurgen Klopp might not get a say in the next stage of Liverpool's development

The Reds' boss's own future, coupled with the squad's average age, might lead to some difficult decisions being made. Football supporters from around the world can buy Premier League Tickets online to enjoy its brilliant actions.

In the latest Analyzing Anfield podcast, Josh Williams and David Hughes enclosed a number of different topics, tactically breaking down Liverpool's 3-1 triumph against Manchester City, a

broader analysis of the Reds' flying start to the League campaign, and also a discussion around Steven Gerrard as a potential future manager.

Within the discussion, a question was raised specifically about the Liverpool squad age, and what factors will be decided by Jürgen Klopp when it comes to squad overhaul and evolution.

You can listen to the full podcast here on Acasta, or watch the full video on the Blood Red YouTube channel.

Here's what Josh and David both had to say:

David Hughes: A listener has asked this: Do you think the average age of the team will get higher in the next three years, if Klopp decides to go, which is looking likely? When his contract is up. Will he want to maximize everything from his players now, and leave the rebuild to whoever comes in?

Josh Williams: You can tell this has come from a regular listener!

DH: In truth, it's really hard to answer, because we don't really know. My theory is: say if Pep Lijnders was lined up for the job, or it was clear he was going to take over, which is something we've toyed with as an idea on the show talking about it, I think that could be something he would keep in mind in terms of laying a potential platform to build on at Liverpool.

Equally, I don't know, would it be so difficult to transition players out of this team now and reinvest it into other quality players? If you look at Philippe Coutinho, that was going to be a big blow to the starting 11, but the money was actually reinvested really well and Liverpool went on to be a better side. On one hand, he could potentially be thinking about the future, especially because it's clear he loves the club; but will he be looking at it and thinking 'it's not my problem'? Do you have any thoughts on that?

Josh Williams

My immediate thought is that it isn't up to Klopp. We have a sporting director, he's responsible for taking care of the long-term health of the squad. The whole purpose of a sporting director is so, regardless of how many managers you go through, the integrity of the squad and the style of football that squad is suited for remains intact. I think we'll just continue to build, continue to add year-on-year.

David Hughes

Obviously, they're going to have conversations, so how do you think that conversation would go? Because Klopp will be thinking about the short-term in terms of personnel, whereas the long-term will be different.

JW: You say that, but I don't think Klopp is a short-term manager at all.

DH: When I say short-term, I don't mean six months, but let's say until the end of his contract. He'll be thinking about trying to win as many trophies as he can with Liverpool, won't he?

JW: He will, but I think that's achievable regardless. I don't think Liverpool if it can be helped, will go through another year of transition. I think Liverpool's squad now will be carefully managed year-in, year-out, to ensure no transition periods are ever experienced again. There was a quote from Billy Beane, the guy behind Moneyball, on John Henry.

DH: It's a really good film that, and it's a book as well?

JW: It is a book. He said a couple of years ago that John Henry knows how to run his football clubs, he wants to win not just now, but for the next 100 years. Which is obviously encouraging for the Reds.

But I think now we've achieved what we've been trying to achieve for years, I do think there will be a case of carefully managing. If you look at the current squad, you have Adam Lallana, who is over 30, and his contract is coming towards the end and he'll be let go.

David Hughes

DH: Lallana isn't the first team, though.

Josh Williams

No, but I think this is how we'll balance the squad with age. James Milner is getting on, but I think he may get another deal, just because of what he adds off the pitch. I think Jordan Henderson will get a new deal eventually, but with a view to becoming another Milner, another utility man filling in at left-back and right back, if needed.

Those deals will be on lower wages. Their gradual replacements will be introduced, I think they are probably Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain if it can be that way. I just think it will be a gradual contingency that we do year-in, year-out, to ensure there is no real major turnover. There won't be a major turnover now if it can help, ever. 

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