5 Liverpool Players Who Deserve Increased Playing Time in 2016-17
With just two games left of Liverpool's 2015/16 campaign, and the UEFA Europa League final dominating the thoughts of the Anfield support, attentions will soon turn to the offseason, and the summer transfer market—who will arrive, who will leave and who will take up an increased role in Jurgen Klopp's squad for 2016/17.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday's 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea, Klopp admitted as much, telling reporters that his plans have begun for the summer, though he stressed newspaper speculation may be off target.
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Many of these plans may hang in balance as Liverpool fight for UEFA Champions League qualification through next week's final clash against Sevilla in Basel, with the added clout of top-level European competition likely enticing players with a higher reputation, such as Bayern Munich's Mario Gotze.
More immediately, however, the heavier fixture list would require a bigger squad, and as has been seen throughout his first season on Merseyside, Klopp is content with utilising his squad ranks—between Sunday's 2-0 win over Watford and the draw with Chelsea, the German made eight changes to his starting lineup.
So which Liverpool players deserve increased playing time in 2016/17? Here are five, including one of Klopp's most consistent performers throughout the current campaign, Joe Allen.
Danny Ward
Goalkeeper Danny Ward spent the first half of the season on loan in the Scottish Premier League with Aberdeen, becoming a fans' favourite for his solid performances for Derek McInnes' side.
It was with disappointment, therefore, that the Dons allowed the 22-year-old to return to Merseyside, with Klopp recalling the Welshman during a winter period hampered by injuries to a number of key players.
McInnes told the Dons' official website in January:
"Naturally we are disappointed Liverpool FC have opted to recall Danny.
We were very fortunate to secure Danny during the summer and we thank Liverpool for believing Pittodrie would be a good platform for Danny to continue his development
"
His progression has been clear for all to see and he's demonstrated to everyone what a capable keeper he is.
This will have been magnified since, with Ward having made just two appearances for the Reds since returning to the club, both coming when Klopp has fielded a heavily rotated side—away to Bournemouth and Swansea City.
These ended in mixed results for the Reds, winning 2-1 at Bournemouth but then losing 3-1 to the Swans, but as Klopp told BBC Sport after the latter, Ward was "brilliant" in his role.
Ward was due to make his Anfield debut in Sunday's 2-0 win over Watford but was ruled out with a knee injury. However, it won't be long before the youngster plays a more regular role under Klopp.
Likely competing with Simon Mignolet for the No. 1 shirt in 2016/17, Ward deserves a chance to prove his worth.
Joe Allen
Quite how Allen is yet to be offered a new contract by Liverpool remains a source of bafflement for supporters, with the Welshman's performances under Klopp in 2015/16 demanding an extension for a deal which expires at the end of next season.
The Wales international has gone from strength to strength since Klopp's appointment in October, building on his strong base of tactical intelligence and technical finesse to grow into a box-to-box role when called upon by the German.
This has seen star performances against the likes of Stoke City and Southampton, as well as influential cameos against Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Everton, with the 26-year-old scoring more goals (three) and registering more assists (three) than the previous two seasons combined.
Despite his encouraging development under Klopp, Allen has made just 18 starts for the Reds this season, with only seven of these coming in the Premier League, underlining his peripheral role on Merseyside.
Rather than approaching Allen's contract situation with trepidation, Liverpool should be admiring his progress as a key positive, and the Welshman should be rewarded with increased game time in 2016/17.
Cameron Brannagan
Like Ward, 19-year-old academy midfielder Cameron Brannagan has benefited from Liverpool's busy fixture schedule in the closing weeks of the season, making substitute appearances against Swansea and Watford in May—with Klopp handing the under-21s captain his league debut.
This has seen Brannagan add to six appearances across the Europa League, Capital One Cup and the FA Cup earlier in the season, and it underlines his standing under Klopp as one of Liverpool's finest prospects.
Brannagan's slow transition into Klopp's first-team squad compounds the manager's comments on the youngster's future back in October, as relayed by the Liverpool Echo's Joe Rimmer shortly after he had signed a new long-term contract:
"I saw enough [of Brannagan] that I can say congratulations to both sides for this new contract. He's a great young guy. I like his style.
For his age he brings everything you need for a midfield player he wants to play football, he's strong, he's clear, he's cool.
It's not easy for these guys to train for the first time with a new manager and think always 'he's going to make a final judgement' or something like this. That's not how I work but these guys don't know this.
I enjoy working with these guys. He's really a talent.
"
While fellow academy graduate Jordan Rossiter looks poised to join Rangers on the expiry of his contract this summer, according to the Daily Record's Michael Gannon, Brannagan is set to progress into a regular first-team role at Liverpool in the near future—starting with further game time next season.
Sheyi Ojo
With Klopp utilising his squad in end-of-season clashes against Watford, Swansea and Newcastle, 18-year-old winger Sheyi Ojo has risen to the fore as one of Liverpool's most exciting young talents.
As with Ward, Ojo was recalled from an initial season-long loan in January, returning from Wolverhampton Wanderers after a disappointing spell under Kenny Jackett, which yielded three goals and four assists in 19 games in all competitions.
Since his return to Liverpool, Ojo has already scored once and laid on a further four goals in 10 games, averaging a goal contribution every 73.8 minutes, compared to 103.1 minutes at Wolves. It was his cross that led to Christian Benteke's late equaliser in the draw with Chelsea, when it landed in the Belgian's path after a fumble from Blues goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
Ojo's pace, trickery and crisp delivery from the flanks make him an exciting prospect, but it is perhaps the former MK Dons winger's subscription to Klopp's pressing game that has earned him a prominent role of late.
At just 18 years old, Ojo is set for an exciting future at Merseyside, and while he must not be relied on in 2016/17 to the same extent as the struggling Jordon Ibe was this season, he warrants increased exposure.
Sergi Canos
Spanish winger Sergi Canos has returned from a successful loan spell in the Championship with Brentford and is set to feature in Liverpool's final league game of the season, away to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
That is according to Klopp, who expressed his delight at Canos' fruitful time at Griffin Park and the possibility of fielding him against the Baggies when he addressed reporters, including the club's official website, after the Reds' draw with Chelsea:
"I learn more and more about English football and it’s possible that he is available for Sunday. It’s unbelievable and great.
Now we will see how he feels, how he is.
He did really well at Brentford. He scored in the last game and had a lot of time to play. For him it was really good to be there. The Championship is quite a strong league and for young players it is really difficult to go through, but he did well.
"
Canos scored seven goals and laid on five assists in 38 league games for the Bees. He grew into a key role on their right flank and enhanced his flair-based attacking game with a bullish physicality typical of England's second tier.
As with Ojo, Canos looks ready to compete at the top level, and he could take up a squad role under Klopp next season—though another loan spell, this time to a Premier League club, may be beneficial—and given the chance to impress against Tony Pulis' West Brom, he could go a long way towards securing his placing.
Statistics via Transfermarkt.co.uk.
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