Share

Liverpool to keep players for title push

Cape Town - Liverpool are determined to end the trend of selling their best players during the close season in order to build a squad capable of consistently challenging for major honours, manager Jurgen Klopp said.

Liverpool have sold a host of high-profile players, including strikers Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres, midfielders Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso, and winger Raheem Sterling to rival clubs in England and other European countries in recent years.

The Merseyside club have already had to fight off advances from French champions Paris St Germain to keep influential midfielder Philippe Coutinho, according to British media reports.

When asked if it was possible to stop key players leaving the Premier League club, Klopp told the Liverpool Echo: "Yes, I think we can do this. It's one of the targets for the coming years.

"There hasn't been a successful team in world football who change their squad every year. You need to need your key players. That's a very important thing.

"You have to create a situation where you are successful. A situation where everyone feels in a good way and we are strong enough and patient enough to keep them together. We say that same squad and consistency creates success."

Klopp has brought in several players including goalkeeper Loris Karius, attacking midfielder Giorginio Wijnaldum and forward Sadio Mane in the close season, and sold midfielder Joe Allen to Stoke City last month.

Liverpool, who face Barcelona in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday, begin their new Premier League campaign with a tough trip to Arsenal on August 14.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1272 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
30% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2240 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE