Pundit names Liverpool quintet as key to ‘long-term plan’

Dan Butterfield
Liverpool stars Harvey Elliott and Diogo Jota

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has named five current Reds as the future of the club who can also help them contend now.

Liverpool have brought in a number of younger talents in recent windows as they look to improve their squad in the long-term whilst still continuing to fight for trophies.


Did Diaz debut offer a glimpse into Liverpool’s future?


Liverpool were convincing winners when they faced Leicester on Thursday evening with the likes of Diogo Jota, who scored a brace, debutant Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott all impressing.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Murphy said: “They [Liverpool] look strong, they look like the only team capable [of catching Manchester City],”

“The highlight of the evening, other than Jota’s goals, was probably the new signing, Diaz.

“We’re talking about this season, and maybe they won’t catch City, but they are trying to stay with City for the next few seasons.

“When you look at the youngsters Klopp is bringing  in, you can see he is trying to mix things up and change things a little bit.

“Luis Diaz looked tremendous, you’ve got Harvey Elliott on the way back, Curtis Jones is getting back to his best, Ibrahima Konate is young, Jota is firing in goals.

“You can see it’s a bit of a long-term plan going on with Liverpool at the moment, as well as trying to stay with City this season, if that makes sense.

“People say Jota is a number nine now, but these guys play all over the place, he’s on the left, he’s on the right, he’s through the middle – he’s just got this wonderful knack of gliding into great areas.

“His goals to games ratio is phenomenal and his technique, he’s so calm around the box.

“He was the the first player to come into Liverpool and get people discussing that the front-three of [Roberto] Firmino, [Mohamed] Salah and [Sadio] Mane might not have to be the answer for the next five years.

“And now Diaz has come in, for your first performance at Anfield for a young lad, his touch and his awareness – what a player!”