Towards the end of last season, it was obvious Liverpool needed a refresh. Jürgen Klopp’s 1.0 version had run out of date, and out of fashion. It needed an upgrade. A new model to help rejuvenate the side and start anew.
This saw wholesale changes in the squad. Klopp didn’t just replace his starting XI players by bringing in the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, but he also replaced the squad players with the additions of Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endō. In turn, out went the likes of James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keïta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. This meant a restructure not just in terms of the midfield but the leadership hierarchy as well which saw Klopp name a new captain and vice-captain in Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It has led to a completely new Liverpool that has been launched since the start of the season. A Liverpool that is being called Klopp’s 2.0 version. This side is playing with newfound energy and desire, and it’s clocking up results in every competition so far.
The squad has been refreshed. It has become a lot younger, and a lot more motivated. Last season, the Reds seemed to have lost a bit of desire. It wasn’t just the results but the level of performance as well. Everything was below par, and the intensity was way below what Liverpool had gotten accustomed to under Klopp. Change is a necessary part of the game, and one of the reasons why Liverpool has been able to bounce back is because of that exactly. Szoboszlai has recently been speaking in Hungary about the competition for places in the squad and how now everyone in the team is motivated to fight for a starting XI spot.
“Everyone wants to get into the starting XI, that’s normal and that’s how it should be the goal in every team. Who is satisfied with sitting on the bench? I’m going to be honest, there are a few [players],” Szoboszlai told Fodball.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endō have been speaking about Liverpool’s competition for places. “Actually before I came here [Liverpool] there were some here as well. I won’t name names but I heard about it.”
The Hungarian went on to emphasize that the competition for places now in the starting XI is fierce at Anfield. Anyone could play in the starting XI and everyone wants to play every game. His teammate, Endō has confirmed this in a similar statement.
Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, the Japanese international said the following: “We play twice a week, we change players but we keep winning. That is because everyone is always ready to play, even if you are starting or not.” Based on those comments, it’s clear Liverpool has a real culture of competition again. Something that wasn’t there last season is back, and Klopp will be delighted.
As a manager, you want to cultivate a place for competition, because it elevates every player in the squad and drives them to new heights. This in some way should explain the ‘secret’ behind Liverpool’s impressive start to life this season, and why Klopp’s 2.0 relaunch has worked so effectively.
The comments above were spoken in general terms, not specifically about Liverpool. However, he then added that he had heard there were players like that at Liverpool as well, but that was before he was at the club.
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