08 Jan 2020 09:10:27
Hi ed01

There is talk that Liverpool will more or less maintain this current squad for another 2 years or so before starting a rebuild. Any knowledge on this?

Also would this be one of the reasons for Klopp's contract extension so that he may oversee the start of the rebuild before a new manager (maybe Gerrard) takes over in 2024?

Would the plan be for Trent to take over the captaincy from Hendo during this period? Hendo would be around 32-34 during that time.

I know plans change as I recall the initial plan was for Lallana to succeed Gerrard as captain but is the above more or less what the club's plan is at present?

{Ed001's Note - I don't think the plan is anything like that. It will be evolution not revolution until things go wrong. Klopp has signed on because he wants to stay, nothing to do with rebuilds etc. You can't plan like that, you can only have the scouts prepare targets ready for when a player needs replacing. Hendo might be able to carry on until 35 or he might pick up a career-ending injury tomorrow. So you just put contingency plans in place for everything and enact whichever ones you need.}

08 Jan 2020 09:33:25
Also trent as captain in 2/ 3 years? He will be what? 23/ 24. Bit young. Vvd is the next captain imo.

08 Jan 2020 09:35:13
Thanks ed01

Makes sense. That talk was beginning to worry me as it could lead to a slump. Evolution over revolution for me. The club is finally run properly.

The deal with Nike is brilliant as well. Crazy to think that with the talk of Utd's 99 treble winning team, Arsenal's 2004 invincible team and City's 2017 Centurion team that we could match all 3 feats in this current season. Heres to hoping it all goes well.

{Ed001's Note - fingers crossed mate.}

08 Jan 2020 09:53:12
Hi Robbiesline VVD is only a year younger than Hendo so in the short term he would defs be the preferred choice. Hendo was 25 and Gerrard 23 so Trent could work in around 3 years.

08 Jan 2020 10:01:02
Gerrard was that young.

08 Jan 2020 11:41:33
Fair play gatsby. And yeah Gerrard was young. Took it from hypia. He always says he was embarrassed to take it from him but sami was great with him.

08 Jan 2020 15:50:07
Just read The Athletic article James Pearce wrote on Pep Lijnders. Really fascinating stuff - would definitely be interested to see if he has the potential to take over from Klopp in the future.

Of course, being a great coach and being a great manager are very different things, but I think it makes sense to keep things in the family as a club. Look at the success it brought to the club from Shankley through to Dalglish!

Be interested to get other people's thoughts though.