by Jordan Henderson has provided a nonplussed response when asked about how major a rebuild awaits at Anfield this summer. Following a poor first two thirds of the season, the Reds have been reinvigorated since a tactical shift moved full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold into a more roaming role.
With the Reds all but certain to miss out on UEFA Champions League football, though, it looks likely that Liverpool will need to change tact. For many, reports of a major rebuild – especially in midfield – have been commonplace.
With the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita all leaving after their contacts expire, the Reds need a midfield revamp of major proportions. The challenge, of course, is finding the right players. One player who is not coming is Jude Bellingham, with the Borussia Dortmund star simply seen as too expensive. Other names, such as Moses Caicedo, have been heavily linked.
However, if you ask club captain Jordan Henderson, the rebuild might not be as extensive as some might assume. Though fans are keen to see major names arrive this summer, Henderson seemed to be less focused on a rebuild and more on the success of the recent weeks and months.
The Reds have hauled themselves back into European contention, and look likely to finish 5th at worst. While they might not make the top four, their improved form and play has seen them become one of the teams to look to in 2023-24 season once again.
Henderson uncertain on the need for a major rebuild
If you ask the Wearside-born captain of the club, though, there is no need for transformational surgery this summer. Speaking as part of an NHS Charites Together program that he was part of, the skipper was quizzed on the need for a major rewrite of the clubs squad. Naturally, he seemed less interested in this than the press.
“I don’t think it’s a rebuild to be honest,” he noted. “I do think there will be new players coming in. A rebuild is changing an entire team – which I don’t think we will be doing.
“I think you have a lot of core players in the team that will still be there and are still in great shape to compete and be successful. But yes, it will need freshening up of course with players leaving and trying to improve the team.
“I am sure players will be coming in at some point to give us a boost and freshen things up a bit and hopefully put us in a good position come the first game of the season.”
The captain also noted that he had no intention of throwing in the towel.
With links to boyhood club Sunderland appearing as the Wearsiders looked odds-on to be promoted (falling against Luton Town in the play-offs), Henderson was clear that he seen his future in Liverpool, adding: “It’s always a challenge, especially at Liverpool, there will always be challenges for places and to play games. That’s been the case ever since I came to the club. Come pre-season I’ll be ready for the challenge again.”
So, while fans might want to hear of bombastic signings and big-name arrivals, there appears to be little appetite for such a squad-sized gutting in the summer to come. For now, the clubs main players are keeping their cards close to the chest. Expect some arrivals – but not the wholesale rebuild rom the ground up that many fans seem to be expecting.
