Liverpool were without injuries, including Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas, Dominik Szoboslai, Joel Matip, Ben Doak, Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Vaicetic, while Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo were not in the national team.
Lijders believes Liverpool’s summer squad shake-up and the influence of academy graduates such as Jarell Quansa this season have reduced the need for further reinforcements this month. “I spent a lot of money this summer.”
The Reds head coach said: “We have really invested in the squad and brought in the right players through ownership. Even with the injuries we’re dealing with right now, hopefully we won’t have to recuperate for a long time.”I think the difference between a good season and a good season is how the team reacts when you go through those moments and you have players missing.
How did Mo (Diogo), Jota, Cody (Gakpo), Darwin (Nunas), Lucho (lius Diaz), how did Harvey (Elliot).”Then we always believe in the Academy. I think you want to create your own player who can fight, compete and win prizes. Another reason we have an academy of 250 players is because we want them to run, dream and support you when the going gets tough or when the season gets tougher due to injuries.
“That’s what they’ve always done.”Linders added: “Conor Bradley comes in. (Gabriel) Martinelli is always a new player who goes one-on-one and Conor is probably not the first player, but he studies and learns and unlocks two or three positions. In the first he plays and two In second, we learn well and close. These people are learning at the same time.
“Conor and Bobby are not just back-up players, they are part of our team. They are young, hungry and designed for this type of game.“Look what happened to Jarrell. We used him at Newcastle when we were 10 men and he sensed our confidence and knew we could really trust him and the steps he was taking. Young players just need opportunities.
There is no need for criticism, only the confidence of the coaching staff. And that’s exactly what we’re trying to do. Those two guys are great, but there’s more to us than that.”
