With Jurgen Klopp’s exit at the conclusion of the season, Liverpool will come to an end of an era. The departure of the German manager, who is the best manager the Anfield club has had in recent memory, will be felt. The Reds may be heading into a crucial summer, of which Klopp’s exit may be only one aspect. There’s a chance that others are leaving Liverpool.
Indeed, there is a growing sense Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk will face a decision on their futures with the latter open in his admission that Klopp’s exit will change the dynamic for him at Anfield. “That’s a big question – I don’t know,” said van Dijk when asked if he saw himself being part of Liverpool’s post-Klopp future.
There was interest in Salah last summer with Al-Ittihad suitors of the Egyptian. Liverpool resisted this ahead of the 2023/24 season, but Salah will be 32 in June and so it might make sense for the club to sell him on and reinvest the money in a younger, long-term replacement before the start of next season.
Whoever replaces Klopp as Liverpool manager this summer will want to impose their own ideas on the team they inherit. This could make the end of this season a suitable jumping off point for Salah and van Dijk who have both already secured their status as Liverpool legends. They have nothing more to prove.
Salah is a player who has thrived on Klopp’s direct approach – and van Dijk is frequently the teammate who delivers long passes on to the toes (and chest) of the Egyptian attacker. If, however, Xabi Alonso takes over at Anfield this summer, he will likely favour an approach based on more short passes in the centre of the pitch.
Liverpool have more than just a new manager to find this summer, they also need a new sporting director. The Anfield club has still to truly replace Michael Edwards – the man credited with leading a lot of Liverpool’s efforts in the transfer market in recent times – who left in May 2022. Liverpool’s front office needs a new structure.
Under Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Liverpool have earned a reputation for being one of the best run clubs in the PremierPINC +0.3% League. However, the club is reaching the end of a cycle and care must be taken not to point the Reds in the wrong direction. This summer might be about more than just Klopp’s departure.
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