Liverpool's recruitment team 'warned about their ageing squad'
Liverpool’s recruitment team ‘warned the club about their ageing squad’ and advised AGAINST blanket contract extensions two years ago… as Reds fall away in the race to sign in-demand youngster Jude Bellingham
- Liverpool’s recruitment team reportedly warned club about their ageing team
- The Reds have identified Jude Bellingham as a potential solution to that issue
- But, it seems that they have acted too late and dropped in the race to sign him
Liverpool’s recruitment team warned club chief’s about the ageing nature of the squad nearly two years ago, according to reports.
The Reds have endured a nightmare 2022-23 campaign so far, currently sitting eighth in the Premier League table and eliminated from Champions League football.
Their struggle for form this year comes amid a transitional period for the club, as they deal with an ageing midfield and the summer departure of Sadio Mane.
In response to that, the Reds had long-been pursuing Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham, but ruled themselves out of the running to sign the former Birmingham City man on Tuesday evening.
It’s left some fans suggesting that the Reds need a squad refresh in order to help their re-build, which is what the Liverpool recruitment team had warned in 2021.
Liverpool’s recruitment staff reportedly warned against offering contracts to the likes of Alisson (L), Jordan Henderson (middle) and Virgil van Dijk (R)
The Reds have reportedly given up in their pursuit to sign Dortmund star Jude Bellingham
According to Sky Sports, two years ago, Liverpool’s recruitment team had raised concerns that the squad was straying away from the ‘right football age’.
The starters needed to be supplemented in a slow build of the ‘next great team’. Instead, Liverpool neglected their most pressing need.
They also pointed out issues with the blanket contract extensions that the club were handing out during the summer of 2021, which has come back to bite them.
Just two years ago, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Alisson Becker were all handed new deals.
For context, three [Henderson, van Dijk and Alisson] of those six players are now over the age of 30 – while Robertson and Fabinho are both 29-years-old.
Their ageing squad has failed to reproduce the performances that many have come to expect from them and it’s seen the Reds struggle domestically this year.
They’ve been strongly linked with a move for Dortmund star Bellingham, given his close relationship with Henderson and Alexander-Arnold, but that move seems off.
Liverpool have now withdrawn from the battle to sign the 19-year-old, deciding instead to use what funds they have available on a rebuild, rather than on what – at more than £110m – would be a marquee signing.
Many had presumed that Bellingham’s close relationship with Jordan Henderson may have persuaded him to join Liverpool in the summer
However, the 19-year-old England midfielder will still be the subject of an intense bidding war if, as expected, he leaves Borussia Dortmund this summer.
It’s understood that Real Madrid are prepared to do whatever it takes to win the race to sign Bellingham this summer, with the Spanish giants viewing Manchester City as their main rivals for his signature.
Sportsmail also understands that Man United boss Erik ten Hag wants the Premier League giants to battle neighbours City and Real Madrid for the England star.
United are keen on the 19-year-old, all-action midfielder, who would command a British record fee. But the situation at Old Trafford is clouded by the ongoing sale and investment process.
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