Klopp may ease Robbo blow by unleashing “aggressive” teen

Liverpool‘s revival this season has stemmed from Jurgen Klopp‘s emphasis on comprehensively rebuilding a midfield that struggled to implement his tactical philosophy final yr, which bitterly resulted in a fifth-placed Premier League end.

Such a dismal marketing campaign meant that the Reds wouldn’t play within the Champions League for the primary time since 2015/16, which actually was a hammer blow to an formidable and esteemed supervisor in Klopp who had returned the glory to Anfield after so a few years of mediocrity.

And whereas the return to the Europa League is just not a prospect that may have stuffed world-class stars resembling Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk with jubilation, it does current a chance for the German gaffer to finish the total gamut of silverware since becoming a member of the aspect again in 2015.

It additionally presents an amazing alternative to unleash a number of the membership’s youthful abilities, which is strictly what Klopp has executed to date.

Certainly, Ben Doak, nonetheless solely 17, began towards LASK within the 3-1 win in September, whereas Stefan Bajcetic and Jarell Quansah have additionally earned beginning berths throughout the primary two video games – with each prospects very a lot trying gifted sufficient for starring roles sooner or later.

With an ostensibly weaker calibre of opposition, wholesome squad rotation actually turns into much less strenuous, and with six factors already Liverpool are in a great place to cruise by the rest of the group section. Although these really feel like well-known final phrases.

One participant who has featured prominently has been Kostas Tsimikas, who has performed second fiddle to Andy Robertson since becoming a member of from Greek aspect Olympiakos in a £12m switch in 2020.

Nevertheless, with the 62-cap Scotland captain withdrawn resulting from harm on worldwide responsibility earlier this week, the 27-year-old may be known as upon for larger duty within the Premier League, the place he has made only one substitute look this time period.

Is Andy Robertson injured?

Robertson has been ever-present below Klopp’s tutelage and has emerged as certainly one of Europe’s foremost full-backs after bursting onto the scene following his £10m switch from Hull Metropolis in 2017.

The £100k-per-week machine has been hailed as a “Duracell Bunny” by Liverpool author Leanne Prescott for his outstanding power and workrate, and has performed each minute of the Reds’ league season this yr.

For this reason his harm suffered on worldwide responsibility will come as such a blow to his membership group, who’ve clicked into gear this time period after enduring that incohesive 2022/23 marketing campaign.

The shoulder problem – which may be a dislocation – may lead to a spell on the sidelines for the gifted defender, who will probably now miss the Merseyside derby towards Everton subsequent weekend – an enormous blow to Liverpool’s fluidity and prospects.

As per FBref, the 5 foot 10 marauder ranks among the many prime 11% of full-backs throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues over the previous yr for assists, the highest 9% for shot-creating actions, the highest 5% for passes tried and the highest 12% for progressive passes per 90.

Very a lot certainly one of Liverpool’s chief creators, Robertson’s harm will go away a void within the restored system, and whereas Tsimikas is a productive power himself, having offered 12 assists from merely 65 outings, he is not probably the most constant of performers, with one LFC podcaster criticising him for his “abysmal” efficiency towards LASK.

As such, it may be excessive time for Klopp to make good use of that aforementioned youth high quality, with an thrilling left-back in Calum Scanlon taking nice strides in his growth and now perching on the cusp of a senior debut for the Merseyside outfit.

Who’s Calum Scanlon?

This summer time, younger Scanlon was included in Klopp’s pre-season squad after impressing for Liverpool’s growth squad over the previous few years.

Famous for his “aggressive” strategy by reporter Jack Lusby, the defender was signed for the Reds for a reported charge of £500k in December 2020 when he was simply 15 years previous, having impressed for Birmingham Metropolis all through his youth days.

Thought of one of many brightest abilities of his age, Scanlon, now aged 18, has now spent three years on Merseyside and has chalked up 38 appearances for the membership’s varied youth sides, scoring twice and offering 4 assists.

Signing his first skilled deal final yr, there’s clearly hope on the membership that he can work his manner right into a distinguished place in Klopp’s senior set-up, with reporter Neil Jones noting that he has appeared “so good” this season, incomes an help throughout a 3-0 win over Morecambe City within the EFL Trophy in September.

The rising sensation can also be among the many youth gamers registered for the Europa League by way of Checklist B this season – which suggests gamers who’re aged 21 or youthful and have been registered for his or her membership for over two years.

It is a massive demonstration of religion in his precocious talent set and one which could be enacted quickly following Robertson’s harm, which may imply that Tsimikas is required to take centre stage for some time..

Ought to the 29-year-old star be sidelined for a number of weeks or extra, Kostas Tsimikas is the primary candidate to serve in his stead, however with Liverpool competing throughout 4 totally different competitions it won’t be attainable for the Greek dynamo to play on a regular basis.

As such, Scanlon may discover himself stepping in to impress, and will he reside as much as Jones’ reward – who additionally claimed that he’s “very gifted” – then he would possibly simply discover that that shot on the first-team sticks.

Each world-class phenomenon begins as an unknown commodity, and each membership has its success tales ranging from throughout the youth ranks.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is proof of Liverpool’s thriving formative fold, and Scanlon may now emulate his positional peer and stroll the identical pathway towards prominence below the Anfield lights.