29 February 2024 , 12:37
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Jurgen Klopp has urged the Liverpool hierarchy to be mindful of the club's young stars when planning for future transfer windows.
Klopp, 56, has already announced this season will be his last as Liverpool manager as he gears up for a year-long sabbatical. And while speculation over who may succeed the German has been running rife, he has been busy nurturing the club's next generation of stars.
A crippling injury crisis may have left Klopp with a severely depleted squad for the final months of his tenure, but a handful of prodigious youngsters have stepped up to the plate. Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumas, Bobby Clark and Trey Nyoni all featured in the 3-0 win over Southampton in the FA Cup on Wednesday night with Koumas and Danns, who scored twice, getting the all important goals.
Both Danns and Koumas are just 18 years of age, while Nyoni made his senior debut against the Saints at the age of 16. Klopp has already outlined that the Reds' promising crop of youngsters will get more opportunities this season, but anything beyond that is out of his hands given his plans to leave.
He has made it clear, though, that the Anfield hierarchy must not block the development of the likes of Danns and Koumas by signing an influx of new players in the summer. Speaking post-match, Klopp said: “It’s a little bit like the new darts sensation (Luke Littler). It’s fine for tonight, absolutely, but tomorrow leave them alone, don’t ask, ‘Where are they now?’.
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“They have a lot to improve and a lot to learn. Everybody who is with us will have their moments, and in the moment with our squad situation, they will have more moments than they will have ever expected. They are exceptional talents. It’s not natural a boy who is 18 [Danns] comes in that situation and is as calm as you like.
“The future doesn’t look that bad. Maybe the people don’t forget it in the moment that when the transfer window opens, a couple of promising players already here. Don’t close the door for them with 12 signings or whatever.”
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Klopp doesn't want the club to stunt the development of players like Jayden Danns by bringing in an influx of new signings (PA)Klopp's words come at a time where the club are searching for not only a new manager, but a sporting director, too. A man Klopp knows all too well in Michael Edwards is understood to be in the frame for the role.
Edwards enjoyed a highly successful spell working alongside Klopp before leaving the club in 2022 after a decade of service. He has already rejected one offer to return.
Mirror Football has outlined that Edwards would want full control over recruitment to consider going back to Anfield. And while it remains to be seen if Fenway Sports Group would offer such power, they are planning to make one final attempt to persuade Edwards to return and could yet agree to his terms.
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