Liverpool have suffered a concerning start to their Premier League season not only on the pitch but off it too, with several changes ahead for the Merseysiders.
Not only have the Reds fallen into sixth in the table, but it has been revealed that FSG are plotting to sell the club as soon as they can find the right buyer, while sporting director Julian Ward has resigned from his role at Anfield after just six months.
As a result, Jurgen Klopp could be about to experience a huge transition period during his remaining managerial tenure on Merseyside, and although the upheaval will be concerning, there is an opportunity for a fresh start to take place.
Liverpool’s successful squad which was built by the German alongside his reliable recruitment team have started to take on new paths at other clubs or are coming to the latter stages of their careers, with many key players now into their 30s.
Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, James Milner and Joel Matip are all 30 or over, and with several contracts expiring in the summer, it’s the perfect time for Klopp to start thinking about the next generation of success.
Indeed, there will be opportunities to strengthen the squad in the upcoming transfer windows, with Enzo Fernandez and Jude Bellingham two players Liverpool are pushing to sign, although they could already have some of their stars in the future in the youth setup.
One player who penned his first professional contract for Liverpool on Thursday was Michael Laffey, a young midfielder who could be part of the future in the middle of the park.
The Merseyside-born midfielder has risen through the ranks of the youth setup to become a key player in the U18s, with Liverpool’s official website claiming that the youngster earned his new contract due to his ‘good passing range’ and ‘impressive awareness’.
Laffey earned high praise from a Liverpool legend upon securing his future at the club, with Jamie Carragher hailing the player as a “great prospect” on Twitter.
The talented 17-year-old has been polishing his trade in Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side since earning his U18 debut last season, tallying 12 appearances and registering three assists so far.
It has been claimed by Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth that Liverpool could part ways with Naby Keita in the New Year, which would be the perfect opportunity for Laffey to capture the attention of Klopp by taking his opportunities to impress when they eventually arise.
The future is looking very bright for Laffey, and if he can continue to flourish in the U18s, it will surely be no time at all before he is given the chance to prove himself in the first team.