Jurgen Klopp says no – but we will assess whether there is a need for reconstruction in Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp first appeared confused by the question.

It was pointed out to the Liverpool boss in his press conference on Friday afternoon that his squad may need major surgery this summer.

It’s not the kind of corrective work that Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have been given this season, but a slight revision of industry scale in the moving window.

“What exactly is ‘reconstruction’?” Klopp said before it was clarified that it was a reference to movements.

“Reconstruction means ten out of ten? Changes to what XI?”

It was more than a good chance from the Liverpool boss as he said changes to his starting line were being discussed without being able to find out what he thought was stronger.

“I know what you mean, but I don’t think it’s time for a major reconstruction as I understand it, [which is] six or seven out, running contracts, but trying to get rid of them and bring in all the new faces.

“This year’s team didn’t really have a chance to play together once.”

Since the arrival of Thiago Alcantara and Diogo Jota in September, the debate over what is made up of Klopp ‘s best team has broken into two realms.

One key decision is whether to side with Joe Gomez or Joel Matip as Virgil van Dijk’s midfield partner. Everyone deserves it.

The second is what the best midfield mix from Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum and Thiago.

Wherever you side with those particular selections, Klopp has not been able to put that side once this season.

The closest he came to was in the 2-2 draw with Everton in October when Adrian represented for Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk saw his season almost written with challenge careless Jordan Pickford in the 11th minute.

From that day on, the Liverpool manager had to settle his options in the midst of an injury crisis.

Klopp is therefore right when he says that “reconstruction” may not be necessary – in his opinion, at least – when he has that rare luxury of full performance once. other.

A situation like this may still be a feature for the Reds boss as he has been lucky with injuries over the past five months, but the baby still doesn’t have to be thrown out with the pool water.

Even in a world as visionary and supportive as football, a poor two months doesn’t completely ruin years of excellence.

“I think it would make sense to look at that but other than that, not much change will happen,” Klopp said in response to questions about the rebuilding of Liverpool.

“Accepting the situation but planning at the same time for the future and all sorts of things.

“I’m not sure if we can do that in the summer but that’s what we’ll try.”

But if the future of so many people in this Liverpool squad is bright, for others it is not so real.

Takumi Minamino, Klopp wants to return to Merseyside in the summer to add some depth to the front line.

The Southampton on loan is a success at St Mary’s and will return as a world-class Premier League footballer later in the year.

The future of co-founder Divock Origi is more open to explanation, however.

With just one goal to name this season – against Lincoln City in the League Cup – is there a sense that the Reds have overtaken Belgium?

If so, an upgrade would be necessary, if only to give Roberto Firmino stronger competition and more opportunities for relaxation.

Ozan Kabak’s future is also going to be debated as he continues to embark on a career as a Premier League footballer.

Three appearances so far are nowhere near enough evidence to give a definitive conclusion to Klopp and his staff.

But if Liverpool feel the £ 18million price tag to make the move permanent could be better used elsewhere, a midfielder will once again be high on the shortlist.

Anfield sources pointed out that the decision to take in the Turkish defendant’s loan without obligation to purchase meant that it was seen as a “try-before-you-buy” contract.

At a time when money is being stretched, it would be foolish to have promised £ 18m before seeing how the young defender could handle the pace of the Premier League.

Gini Wijnaldum’s future looks more likely to be lying away from Anfield.

The Dutchman is into the final months of a contract he signed in July of 2016 and is free to walk away as a free agent in the summer.

Wijnaldum has played in 35 of Liverpool ‘s 37 games this season and given his importance to the cause, it seems surprising that he is being allowed to leave.

The story may still change late but as it stands, the heroes are expected to miss the 30-year-old when his contract expires.

Would Liverpool have to hire another midfielder to make up for Wijnaldum’s loss?

It would greatly weaken the squad if it was not replaced by a player of such value as Klopp.

Xherdan Shaqiri is another whose future will not move too far away from profiteering.

Liverpool had spent a summer privately asking for a price on his head in January last year and saw interest emerging from Sevilla and Roma.

He was still a Reds player with Klopp wanting to keep all hands on deck for a historic cost towards his first title in three decades.

Towards the end of the summer transfer window, two Italian clubs contacted Shaqiri.

As a result, he was left out of the squad the day of the match that was beaten on penalties by Arsenal in the League Cup on 1 October.

“This is the time of year when some things happen in the background and you have to respond – that’s what we did,” Klopp said at the time.

It hasn’t been a very good year for Shaqiri but there have been discounts from time to time and there’s no need to jump too far to believe there could be interest again.

Klopp may not feel that the team he has built in the last few years need much rebuilding work and the Liverpool squad is a perfect fit, as can be seen in last season, which ‘support that application.

But beneath the surface there is a growing feeling that the Reds are approaching one of the biggest summers in time.

What happens from there could determine which way to go.