Liverpool assistant boss Pep Lijnders has put up a sign in a spot that forces Reds players to see it before they head out for training.
The Reds are enjoying an impressive season after last year’s disappointment of missing out on the Champions League. They are currently second in the Premier League table and face leaders Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, with a win taking them top. Lijnders has been one of manager Jurgen Klopp’s key allies for several years and is seen as the go-between for the Reds boss and his squad. Liverpool underwent a major leadership change among their squad, with captain Jordan Henderson and vice-skipper James Milner both departed in the summer transfer window.
According to The Athletic, Lijnders has also responded to the changes by adding a motivational message to the door of the training ground’s boot room. That message reads: “Standards are set by the ones who need to live them”.
That sign is seen by players every time they make their way out to the training pitches. As well as Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold and Salah, Alisson and Scotland captain Andy Robertson are also part of the leadership team. Lijnders liaises with them on every matter from the club’s training schedule to travel arrangements. The group’s insight is sought and given to Klopp before final decisions are made.
Most issues are also addressed within the squad, though if it needs to be escalated, Lijnders will step in. The Liverpool assistant boss has frequently spoken of his happiness at the strength of the Reds’ squad.
“Our squad is full of potential, our squad is full of desire. You saw an example in the Toulouse game, Europa League, when we changed eight times, we kept our identity, we still were in the opposition half, we had the ball, we were constantly creating,” he said last month. “And with eight changes, that says a lot. I’m really happy with that. But that comes up from the training, from the meetings, from the video, from the quality of the players – but especially their hunger, their desire.
