Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp urged to copy Man Utd and axe old guard

Jurgen Klopp reacts to Liverpool's win over Napoli

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been encouraged by Rio Ferdinand to follow the lead set by Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson by moving on his old guard before they go into complete decline. The former England international called out Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Thiago and Fabinho as players who need to be replaced soon if they look to get back to the top form. 

Liverpool have endured a poor season in the Premier League, falling far behind their usual high standards. The Reds have picked up just 16 points from their opening 12 games and already sit 15 points behind table toppers Arsenal and look to be facing a tough battle to make the Champions League spots at the end of the campaign. 

Talk has turned to whether or not a rebuild should be on the cards at Anfield given the ageing nature of Klopp’s squad. The likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah are all the wrong age of 30 with an increasing need to bring down the age of the squad. 

The topic was discussed in the BT Sport studio with Peter Crouch arguing talk of a complete rebuild was premature. 

“Let’s not get carried away, they were in every competition last season, Champions League final, won two trophies, were one point away from winning the Premier League,” he said. “This season hasn’t gone to plan, it isn’t a complete overhaul.

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“Salah’s scoring every week, Van Dijk is going through a little period where he isn’t playing well but he’s still possibly the best centre-half in the game. There’s a lack of form and there’s a definite need for a freshen up but Liverpool aren’t far away. 

However Ferdinand disagreed, comparing the situation at the club to what he previously experienced at United under Ferguson. The Scotsman would move players on before many felt they should be in order to ensure his squad remained as fresh as possible. 

“That’s the thing with Sir Alex Ferguson and what he was great at, he could see the chink in those players’ armour whatever it be and changing it, getting them out before they were the other side of the mountain,” he said. “We’re talking about players in this Liverpool team who are on the other side of that mountain now in terms of form, where they are in their career compared to two or three years ago.

“Jaap Stam was the best defender at the time, see you later. David Beckham, in terms of his career, bye-bye. Ruud van Nistelrooy, the manager saw something early and they’re big calls to make. The risk involved in that but you need to have the belief and confidence in what you’re doing and the ability to spot talent elsewhere to come in.” 

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The 43-year-old then called out Liverpool’s ageing midfielders but claimed the club’s younger midfielders were not yet in a position to replace them. 

“I understand ageing midfield, Henderson, Thiago, Fabinho, Milner getting older” Ferdinand explained. “We watched them against Nottingham Forest but you’ve got Elliott, Carvalho coming in there, Curtis Jones can come in there. Are they ready to come in and take over? That’s the question. If they’re not, if Klopp’s seen that they’re going to have to go into the market. 

“I do believe, not this window, but in the summer that’s an area they’ll be looking to get reinforcements. It’s hard when players have done so well for you to go ‘you’ve shown signs of weakness or form is lacking, you’re going to have to get out of the club.’ It’s difficult when they’ve been so loyal and you’ve relied on them for so long.”

It remains to be seen whether or not Klopp will heed Ferdinand’s advice and look to replace his ageing stars in his quest to return Liverpool to the team they were 12 months ago. 

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