Klopp clear on what he expects from his players after Liverpool transfer failed
Jurgen Klopp is a coach of many talents and man-management seems to be one of them, with the overwhelming majority of players to work under him having nothing but kind words to say.
The Liverpool boss is quick to welcome any new addition into the club with open arms and is famed for his intense embraces with members of his squad and backroom staff. By now, it is clear he expects a similar level of warmth from his players, particularly when a fresh face enters the fold both on and off the pitch.
It is for that reason that Klopp was disappointed with sections of his squad following the arrival of Takumi Minamino. The Japan international arrived in January of 2020 and just three months into his stay, Klopp publicly bemoaned the rest of his squad for ignoring him on the pitch.
Following a fifth-round elimination from the FA Cup at the hands of Chelsea, Klopp told reporters: "Takumi had a really good game. We could have used him much more often.
"If Neco (Williams) sees him once or twice he was completely free at the edge [of the box], he shot the cross more or less. If he'd seen him it would have helped."
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These comments are perhaps a small insight into a wider problem Minamino suffered during his two-and-a-half-year stint before he was eventually sold to Monaco in the summer of 2022. During that time, the midfield talent struggled to establish himself at Anfield and was always on the fringes of the first team.
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Takumi Minamino failed to settle at Anfield and was sold two-and-a-half years into his stayKlopp will be well aware that his current Liverpool outfit are one in transition, with a number of ageing stars nearing the end of their prime and the young generation of talent behind them hardly pulling up any trees.
The Reds will have to spend big this summer to bolster the areas Klopp deems in need of strengthening and as a result, cannot afford another Minamino situation. The last thing Liverpool need is to spend big on a new arrival who isn't aided during the settling-in period and as a result, performances suffer.
It is going to take an embarrassing late slip-up from Manchester United for Liverpool to snatch Champions League football next term, otherwise, it's Europa League football for the Reds.
As a result, the schedule will suffer and trying to return to the level where the club are challenging for the title once again is going to be difficult enough; any and every new signing needs to hit the ground running.
If that means the elder, more experienced heads within the group have to go that extra mile to make the new additions feel more comfortable both in the dressing room and on the pitch, then so be it.
Liverpool's collective team spirit has been one of their strongest assets during Klopp's reign, they need to ensure no other player falls through the cracks and ends up being swiftly sold like Minamino.
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