The training pitches of Melwood may be about to get a lot more crowded.
Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he’s unsure if Liverpool are using the loan system properly and believes that it may be wiser to keep hold of the younger players on Merseyside, rather then sending them to different clubs to learn their craft.
Liverpool currently have over 15 players out on loan with big name players like Mario Balotelli, Andre Wisdom, Tiago Ilori, Luis Alberto and Lazar Markovic joining the younger contingent of Harry Wilson, Kevin Stewart, Ryan Kent, Sheyi Ojo, Samed Yesil, Jordan Williams, Lloyd Jones, Danny Ward, Lawrence Vigouroux, Sergi Canos, Taiwo Awoniyi and Ryan McLoughlin who are all currently on temporary deals with various clubs.
“Of course I am looking at the loan players,” Klopp said ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.
“I try to learn all about English football because it is completely different to other countries. Liverpool a few years ago had 20 to 25 players out on loan.
“It is not normal to have players on loan in Germany, but in England it is.
“When I have time I watch these players. I went to Wolverhampton to watch Ojo but he didn’t play!
“It’s part of my job – what we do with the guys here and those out on loan. There will be a time when we have to make a decision.”
And that decision could well result in an entirely new philosophy about how younger Reds players mature at Anfield as Klopp hinted that he will not be as keen as his predecessors to allow youngsters to leave on loan.
“I’m not sure in this moment it’s always best to give young players to other clubs,” he said.
“I think it’s a kind of pressure you don’t need at that age.
“You play together with experienced players every day and have to show you are better than them. Everyone at home is expecting you to take the next step.
“Maybe we need to cool down the situation a little bit, hold on to these guys longer and let them play in our second team and develop as a team. We will see what we will do in the future.
“Usually a manager in England has not enough time to change things. But we will try to take our ideas and change a few things for the future.”
