Times are changing at Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s departure has signalled a radical shift. It won’t just be the Liverpool manager who leaves at the end of the season. He will be followed by his backroom staff as well, including coaches like Vitor Matos and Pep Lijnders, who have been instrumental behind the scenes for years.
On top of that, Liverpool have also seen the departure of Jorg Schmadtke. The German hadn’t even spent a year as sporting director at Anfield but he has also chosen to leave the club following Klopp’s decision.
There will be some continuity, with Michael Edwards returning to assume a new role within FSG, where he will oversee operations at Liverpool. His right-hand man will be Richard Hughes, who has an impressive pedigree in the game.
But there will be plenty of other questions to solve. And Liverpool will need even more continuity. Which is why the club should consider bringing back a former player in a new capacity.
Why Liverpool should consider bringing Adam Lallana back
At his peak, Adam Lallana was a key player under Jurgen Klopp. The England international really understood the essence of what Klopp was trying to achieve at Liverpool. Lallana’s pressing game and energy gave Klopp’s early sides a really important foundation.
Since leaving the club, Lallana has established himself as an important squad player at Brighton. However, he is turning 35-years-old now and he will soon have to turn his back on the game.There are signs behind the scenes that he is planning ahead already.
Recently, Lallana was spotted training with England’s U21 side, as he looks to gain more experience and secure his coaching qualifications. It’s not the first time he has coached the young Three Lions, over the course of the last year or so he has been involved in training sessions a few times.
Now as Liverpool embark on the post Klopp era, it might be interesting to consider bringing back Lallana as a first team coach. Liverpool have lost a few coaches amid Klopp’s departure in Matos and Lijnders so there is a vacancy in the squad.
Lallana has proven pedigree as a player and he also understands the expectations and pressures at Liverpool. Having someone with his experience coaching this new generation of Liverpool players could be invaluable.
He could be an especially great asset if Roberto De Zerbi was appointed as the club’s new manager. Knowing him well at Brighton, he could be a useful tool to help De Zerbi settle.
However, even if it isn’t his current boss who takes over from Klopp, Lallana should still be given a role within Liverpool. Recently, the Reds have helped the coaching careers of Steven Gerrard and Gary O’Neil, so there is no reason why the same cannot be done with Lallana.