Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claims the pre-season lasts until the first international break
Speaking to the media after the final pre-season game of this summer, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp weirdly points out that pre-seasons generally last until the first international break of the season.
By that time though, Premier League teams play three league games. In an age where the standards are higher than ever in terms of points tally, not sure including the first three games of the campaign under the “pre-season” section is a sensible thing to do.
But, if we look at it from Klopp’s view, considering Liverpool haven’t done the required transfer business so far, he could take the games against Chelsea, Bournemouth and Newcastle United for audition purposes before the real thing for him starts in the middle of September.
Here’s what the boss said after a satisfying yet scratchy 3-1 win over Darmstadt (h/t Liverpool Echo):
“There is some football stuff we have to do and sort, but that’s normal. Pre-season always goes until the first international break, we have to use these weeks without international football.
“In Germany we could train a lot on physical and tactical stuff, we came out of the tour without big problems. It’s not done and dusted, we have four or five sessions then we have to put in a proper fight. Let’s go.”
As if the midfield rebuild didn’t get enough centre of attention at the start of this window, the departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson elevated the importance of it to the nth degree.
But, Liverpool have been lazy in the market so far and have not found a replacement for each of the recently departed midfielders. They are somehow making a meal out of the negotiations with Southampton for Romeo Lavia. The third bid was rejected on Monday.
Now, the situation is that even if the Lavia deal is done, this squad desperately needs two more additions – another midfielder and a centre-back.
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Is that possible to do with time running out? No. So, the focus should immediately shift to signing a centre-back as and when the Lavia move is done. In this new hybrid system, Liverpool need a left-sided centre-back who can also operate as a fullback if required.
