‘It is clear’: Jurgen Klopp’s best back-up XI, as Liverpool boss shares plan for two teams

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Liverpool’s 1st and 2nd XI look interesting after Jurgen Klopp shared his plan for ‘two teams’ at the club. There’s certainly work to do.

Jurgen Klopp made an interesting comment this week as he talked about transfers at Liverpool. The boss wants to have ‘two teams’ at his disposal with which he can rotate.

“It is clear that you need real quality in all positions and probably two teams on the same level that you can rotate, and that is what we try to prepare,” he said, per The Times.

So what would that look like? Here’s what we think the current teams would be in Klopp’s mind.

Liverpool’s 1st XI

This is essentially the team we’d expect to start a Champions League final. It is, after all, the XI that started against Real Madrid in Paris last May but with Darwin Nunez in for Sadio Mané.

In terms of improvement, the midfield is really the only area you’d work on. The back four are all world-class at their best, while the wide forwards are sensational. Nunez is getting to that point, too, as a 23-year-old who few can handle.

The midfield is experienced but in need of refreshing. That’s certainly something the second-string shows quite brutally.

And the second team

So we don’t think anyone is doing much better than Caoimhín Kelleher as a no.2. The back four is pretty decent, too, for a second-string. The jury is out on Calvin Ramsay just now but the rest are quality backup options. Joel Matip is actually a fantastic first-choice option, in all truth.

And the forward three are quite ridiculous as rotational options. We’re not sure any club on the planet can boast such an incredible trio in reserve.

But then there’s midfield. We’ve got a 19-year-old still learning the role, a player who turns 37 this month, and another who can’t stay fit and is out of contract in the summer. Can’t really argue that’s good enough.

Harvey Elliott certainly has a future in the team but there’s a lot of pressure on him here. Especially when the first-choice trio aren’t delivering as they previously have done.

There’s no doubt that Liverpool need to sign midfielders this year, then. Klopp says he wants two teams but we’re not sure there’s one team with a good enough midfield right now.

2023 must see at least two or three additions to strengthen the middle and then we think Klopp has what he wants.