Liverpool are having to undergo some major surgery to their coaching staff for the first time in years.
Obviously, and most importantly, the Reds are having to sort out a replacement for Jurgen Klopp. Having seen Xabi Alonso rule himself out of the running last night, that search has now gotten a little trickier.
But aside from Klopp himself, Liverpool need to build the team surrounding the new manager. Jurgen’s backroom staff are a close-knit group and have built a solid nucleus over a long period.
All of Pep Lijnders, Peter Krawietz and Vitor Matos have been at the club since at least 2019. Lijnders pre-dates Klopp even while Krawietz arrived alongside his long-time colleague in 2015.
Matos is the odd one out, having been brought to the club by Klopp almost five years ago. And it’s perhaps the Portuguese coach who’s successor could be the most interesting.
Liverpool invite former player to training
Matos’ role at Liverpool is that of elite development coach. Essentially, the former Porto man is the link between the academy and the first-team.
Matos identifies the players who have the potential to step up to the senior side, and then works closely with them as they make the transition to the first-team.
As a close associate of Lijnders, he also appears to be heavily involved in the running of sessions and is reportedly set to follow the Dutchman into his next venture.
In terms of the Liverpool, it could be expected that a new manager will bring in his own assistant and coaches. The Reds may not need to identify them individually. Matos’ role, however, is somewhat specialist. As a result, we think Liverpool will want to bring in their own man for it. And, as it turns out, we think that man may well be Fernando Torres.
Fernando Torres set for intriguing visit
Reports in Spain have claimed that Torres is set to visit Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre over the weekend. The 40-year-old will reportedly learn from Klopp at training on Friday and Saturday before attending Liverpool vs Brighton on Sunday.
As well as taking note of the Reds’ boss’ methods though, Torres is also said to be present to learn the ‘ins and outs’ of the Liverpool academy.
Now, this could all be nothing. Klopp has invited other coaches to learn from him before. Man City legend Yaya Toure was once memorably present to watch Liverpool train. However, the timing does feel significant this time. When Toure – or anyone else over the past nine years – has come on over, Klopp and his team have been firmly in place.
Now though, that is no longer the case. Liverpool need people to fill positions. As a promising young manager with Atletico Madrid’s U19s, Torres could fit the bill.
Should he take on Matos’ role, it would be a step up from what the 2010 World Cup winner is currently doing. Not yet ready to take on a head coach position, joining Liverpool in this guise would allow Torres to keep learning while developing more skills to his set.
Alonso may have slipped through their fingers, but perhaps Liverpool have another former Rafa Benitez charge up their sleeve to soften the blow.