Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed he travelled to watch Wolverhampton Wanderers to run the rule over Sheyi Ojo – but the on-loan Reds starlet didn’t play.
The German revealed he made the trip to Molineux to see if the 18-year-old winger has a role to play for his side.
But Klopp says Ojo didn’t play. That means he probably attended Wolves’ recent home defeat to Middlesbrough, in which Ojo only came on as a substitute for the last six minutes.
The new Liverpool boss isn’t planning on making a habit of such scouting missions. He revealed he wants to overhaul the club’s approach to loan deals, with the Reds keeping most of their players at the academy in future.
At present, youngsters Harry Wilson, Kevin Stewart, Ryan Kent, Sheyi Ojo, Samed Yesil, Jordan Williams, Lloyd Jones, Danny Ward, Lawrence Vigouroux, Sergi Canos, Taiwo Awoniyi and Ryan McLaughlin are all out on loan.
First-team squad players Mario Balotelli, Andre Wisdom, Tiago Ilori, Luis Alberto and Lazar Markovic are also on temporary spells with other clubs.
But Klopp told the Liverpool Echo: “Of course I am looking at the loan players,” he said.
“I try to learn all about English football because it is completely different to other countries. Liverpool a few years ago had 20 to 25 players out on loan.
“It is not normal to have players on loan in Germany, but in England it is.
“When I have time I watch these players. I went to Wolverhampton to watch Ojo but he didn’t play!
“It’s part of my job – what we do with the guys here and those out on loan. There will be a time when we have to make a decision.
“I’m not sure in this moment it’s always best to give young players to other clubs. I think it’s a kind of pressure you don’t need at that age.
“You play together with experienced players every day and have to show you are better than them. Everyone at home is expecting you to take the next step.
“Maybe we need to cool down the situation a little bit, hold on to these guys longer and let them play in our second team and develop as a team. We will see what we will do in the future.
“Usually a manager in England has not enough time to change things. But we will try to take our ideas and change a few things for the future.”
