According to reports from The Liverpool Echo, manager Jurgen Klopp is set to overhaul Liverpool’s loan system.
The Reds currently have over twelve players farmed out to other clubs, most of which are promising youngsters recently graduated from the academy ranks, such as Harry Wilson, Kevin Stewart, Ryan Kent, Sheyi Ojo, Samed Yesil, Jordan Williams, Lloyd Jones, Danny Ward, Lawrence Vigouroux, Sergi Canos, Taiwo Awoniyi and Ryan McLoughlin.
Meanwhile, Mario Balotelli, Andre Wisdom, Luis Alberto and Lazar Markovic, all of whom have made at least one senior appearance for the Merseyside outfit, are also out on loan.
But manager Klopp believes loaning Liverpool’s most exciting young players to other clubs may not be the right approach and could in fact hinder their development – especially if they aren’t given the first team opportunities expected or alternatively, burdened with the relentless pressures of senior football too early.
As quoted by The Liverpool Echo, the German said; “Of course I am looking at the loan players. I try to learn all about English football because it is completely different to other countries. Liverpool a few years ago had 20 to 25 players out on loan. It is not normal to have players on loan in Germany, but in England it is. When I have time I watch these players. I went to Wolverhampton to watch Ojo but he didn’t play!”
He continued; “It’s part of my job – what we do with the guys here and those out on loan. There will be a time when we have to make a decision. I’m not sure in this moment it’s always best to give young players to other clubs. I think it’s a kind of pressure you don’t need at that age. You play together with experienced players every day and have to show you are better than them. Everyone at home is expecting you to take the next step.
“Maybe we need to cool down the situation a little bit, hold on to these guys longer and let them play in our second team and develop as a team. We will see what we will do in the future.”
Meanwhile, Klopp celebrated his first Premier League victory as Liverpool manager earlier today in a 3-1 win over Chelsea.