With Liverpool’s squad looking increasingly thin due to injuries, we take a look at three loaned players Jurgen Klopp could have benefited from still having at the club.
From having what appeared to be a relatively strong-looking squad at the start of the season, the Reds now suddenly look worryingly short of options – especially with a run of 6 games in 17 days now upon us.
Jurgen Klopp has inherited a squad decimated by injuries, with Jordan Henderson, Daniel Sturridge, Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino all on the sidelines currently, and Danny Ings and Joe Gomez now long-term absentees.
The German is limited in certain areas, but he could eradicate these issues by recalling several loaned players, much like Brendan Rodgers did with Jordon Ibe, and attempted to do with Divock Origi, last season.
Here are three Liverpool players that we feel will help make a difference at Anfield, if and when they are available to return.
Many Liverpool supporters were puzzled when Lazar Markovic was loaned out to Fenerbahce for the season, following just 12 months with the Reds.
The young Serb had not excelled in his first year on Merseyside, but he was also far from a failure. His talent was clear to see, and an improved second season appeared likely.
Rodgers decided he didn’t need him though, but Klopp must now surely be considering bringing Markovic back to Anfield.
Ibe is the only natural wide player at the club, which is scandalous, and Markovic’s pace, trickery and work-rate in that area would suit Klopp’s style down to the ground.
The 21-year-old would probably be at his most effective on the right wing in the German’s 4-2-3-1 system, but such is his versatility, he could also shine on the left or in a ‘No.10’ role.
Markovic brings something different to the Liverpool squad, and he should definitely feel aggrieved that Rodgers gave up on him so quickly.
There’s a reason why the former Benfica man was rated as one of Europe’s brightest young players when he joined the Reds, and Klopp will be well aware of that.
NEWS: Liverpool DO have the option to recall Markovic in January
Andre Wisdom
Rodgers did plenty of positive things as manager, contrary to popular belief, but his loaning out of certain players in the summer was poor judgement.
Andre Wisdom was shipped off to Norwich City, despite Liverpool having an obvious lack of full-backs following Glen Johnson’s exit and Jon Flanagan‘s injury.
Wisdom would have been perfect to fill in for either Nathaniel Clyne or Alberto Moreno at right and left-back this season, but instead he has sat on Norwich‘s bench, appearing just twice in the Premier League to date.
It is inexcusable that a club of Liverpool’s stature only have two fit full-backs at their disposal – Jose Enrique hasn’t played a game of football since January, was subbed at half-time on his last two starts and isn’t even registered in Europe. Injury to either Clyne or Moreno would be disastrous, there is no cover at all now that Gomez is out.
Wisdom has shown he is not out of his depth in the past, and he should never have been sent out on loan in the first place.
Klopp should do everything he can to get him back. It’s not as if Norwich need him, is it?
Tiago Ilori
Tiago Ilori’s loan move to Aston Villa did make a little more sense than Markovic and Wisdom’s respective departures, but there were still some left scratching their heads a little.
The 22-year-old had enjoyed a terrific summer for Portugal at the European Under-21 Championship, starring as they eventually lost on penalties to Sweden in the final, but Rodgers felt he was not needed.
Liverpool’s back-line does not exactly look watertight this season, however, and Ilori is someone who could really shine under Klopp.
Mamadou Sakho is the only top class centre-back the Reds have in their squad, with Martin Skrtel inconsistent, Dejan Lovren not good enough and Kolo Toure now well past his best.
An injury to Sakho would spell real danger for Liverpool’s new manager, and given the fact Ilori is yet to even play for Villa, they surely wouldn’t have a problem allowing him to return to Merseyside.
He might not feature as much as Markovic and Wisdom, but it would still be nice to have the youngster as an option, should he be needed.
> LFC Loan Watch: Ojo assists, Markovic returns & Awoniyi plays first action for Frankfurt
> Danny Ings targeting “swifter return” after clean ACL tear – reports
> Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz: Profiling Jurgen Klopp’s right-hand men
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