Jurgen Klopp did something very smart when Fabinho and Jordan Henderson left which is just being noticed now

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Last summer there was so much panic and disarray around Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp had embarked on a midfield rebuild. A rebuild that was desperately needed for several years prior to that at Anfield. But it was a rebuild to the scale that few anticipated.

Many wouldn’t have envisaged both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho departing the club at the start of last summer. Yet, they both did and with them, they undoubtedly left a void. A void Liverpool tried to fill with Moises Caicedo, to no avail.

Instead, Wataru Endo was brought in a few weeks before the end of the window. But before the Japanese international was signed, Liverpool had to play several pre-season games without Henderson and Fabinho. And it was during these matches that Klopp made a really smart decision. A decision Liverpool felt the full fruits of in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday night.

Jurgen Klopp’s James McConnell call

James McConnell was a surprise name on the list of the players who were invited to Liverpool’s pre-season camp. A talented and versatile youngster, McConnell had been solid in the club’s academy, however he hadn’t yet found his defined role. During the previous season, he had played in several different positions at academy level.

But when Henderson and Fabinho departed, that necessitated Klopp to find a solution from within Liverpool’s squad for the number six position. That solution ended up becoming McConnell who was used in that role several times during pre-season. And McConnell really caught the eye with his intensity and physicality combined with his technical attributes as well.

Since then, he has also played in that position during his cameo appearances in the first team. Including in a start against Norwich City in the FA Cup. McConnell registered an assist in that game and was brilliant throughout the match.

But his best performance was definitely against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final. He was so composed and elegant on the ball. Very strong and resilient in his challenges. It’s obvious he was born to play the holding midfield or central midfield role. Liverpool have definitely found another gem in the youngster.