17 July 2023 , 15:21
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Liverpool are about to swell their pre-season training camp with a couple of very happy and important new additions.
Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott will report for duty in the coming days fresh from clinching the European under-21 title with England, and they'll be linking up with the squad as key first-team players, no longer merely 'kids' on the fringes of things.
Jones was mightily impressive for Lee Carsley's Young Lions in Georgia and Romania, carrying on his fine form from the back end of last season and often dictating play from a deeper lying midfield position. He was also awarded the winning goal in the final, even if there was more than a touch of fortune to it.
Elliott wasn't as noticeable as his club teammate, and indeed struggled to break in to Carsley's first XI, but he did score a fine goal in a group stage win over Germany.
The pair swell the numbers in Liverpool's summer training camp from 32 to 34, which is the maximum number of 'senior' players that Jurgen Klopp could call upon right now, with so many of his stars having had a decent rest this summer.
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Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott return to Liverpool (PA)A lot of the players at the camp aren't senior of course, with at least 10 set to return to the club's junior ranks following the end of both this tour and a trip to Singapore, but Jones and Elliott are now right amongst the core of first-team stars.
One of the reasons for that is of course just who isn't in Germany, with Fabinho staying at home on Merseyside to tie up a £40million deal with Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, where he's teaming up with Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and the former Celtic man Jota, all under the guidance of former Wolves and Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
Liverpool have been getting down to work in Germany (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)The Brazilian isn't as old as some of his Liverpool midfield colleagues, but time hasn't been as kind to his legs as it seemingly has to theirs.
Having built much of his team's success on the efforts of Fabinho, Jurgen Klopp will now be happy to let him go at that price.
It is that crucial element of price which is holding up Jordan Henderson's own potential move to Saudi Arabia, with Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq not flush with Public Investment Fund money unlike other clubs in the country, including Al-Ittihad.
For those clubs, an initial upfront transfer fee is known to be a problem despite their ability to afford to pay vast wages. With Henderson still possessing two years left on his contract Liverpool are in no mood to let him go cheaply, and nor should they be.
Jordan Henderson is with the squad despite ongoing transfer rumours (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Even if the captain stays, and his presence in Germany suggests as much, the Reds need a new addition in midfield. Perhaps two.
Southampton's 19-year-old Romeo Lavia is the name that continues to be in the frame, and discussions have taken place over his signing, but there are also several others under consideration, with experience something the Reds could certainly do with alongside Lavia's undoubted potential.
Jones and Elliott have always had that potential, and through their absence they have only seen their importance grow.
Liverpool will be glad to see them back.
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