Klopp finding diamonds in the rough claims Carragher
value. Carragher says the talent to develop footballers and deliver their potential is reflected in just about every Klopp signing. “Once you have that player, you have got to improve that player,” said Carragher, left. “That’s where Klopp doesn’t get enough credit. “Liverpool are not going to the best clubs in the world and buying their best players. And it’s not that Liverpool are buying players with a special ability that nobody else sees.” Another good example is Andy Robertson, who joined from Hull for a measly
£8m and is now among the best left-backs in the league. Klopp also took Trent Alexander-Arnold from the youth team and turned him into a much-admired right-back.
At the other end of the scale, bigmoney signings Virgil van Dijk and Alisson may well have doubled in value on the £75m and £60m fees Liverpool paid for them. Carragher believes that is a unique ability which ranks Klopp ahead of other top managers across Europe. “It’s OK buying players, but it’s what you do when you’ve got them,” said Carragher. “We forget that sometimes when we talk about Manchester United’s recruitment in the last few years, or other teams. “Liverpool are viewed as the model now for recruitment.”
Klopp’s demand for constant improvement from his players is legendary. There is no doubt his squad has evolved beyond recognition in his four-year spell at Anfield. And it is a fact acknowledged by skipper Jordan Henderson, who has just been voted England’s Player of the Year and is in the form of his life at the age of 29.
“The manager demands a lot, and we feel the same as players – we know we can improve,” said the midfielder. “We’ll keep listening to what wants and that means still developing as a team. The manager is always looking for the next challenge and the players demand that of ourselves now. We know we cannot let up.”