Rolfes' Motto in Liverpool: Abschauen, nicht kopieren
Jurgen Klopp's former assistant manager has been working wonders at the Merseyside club
When VfL Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schafer brought up the idea of a loan move for midfielder Maximilian Philipp to Liverpool, he was taken aback by the response from the Reds' sporting director, Michael Edwards. "We don't do loans," Edwards told Schafer. "We sign players we believe in."
This anecdote, relayed by Schafer in an interview with German magazine Kicker, provides a revealing insight into the transfer strategy of Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp. The German manager has made it clear that he wants players who are committed to the club and who are willing to buy into his philosophy. He is not interested in short-term fixes or players who are only looking to make a quick buck.
This approach has been vindicated by Liverpool's success in recent years. The Reds have won the Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup under Klopp's leadership. They have also established themselves as one of the most feared teams in Europe.
One of the key figures behind Liverpool's success has been assistant manager Peter Krawietz. The 49-year-old German has been with Klopp since his days at Mainz 05 and has played a vital role in implementing his philosophy at Anfield.
Krawietz is a highly respected coach who is known for his attention to detail and his ability to get the best out of players. He is also a master of "gegenpressing," the high-intensity pressing style that is a hallmark of Klopp's teams.
In an interview with The Athletic, Krawietz explained his approach to coaching. "We want to create a style of play that is difficult to play against," he said. "We want to be a team that is always on the front foot, that is always pressing, and that is always looking to create chances."
This philosophy has been instilled in Liverpool's players, who have become one of the most effective pressing teams in the world. The Reds are able to win the ball back high up the pitch, which allows them to create chances and score goals.
In addition to his work on the training ground, Krawietz also plays a key role in Liverpool's recruitment process. He is responsible for scouting and identifying potential transfer targets, and he works closely with Klopp to decide which players to sign.
Krawietz's influence on Liverpool's success cannot be overstated. He is a key member of Klopp's coaching staff, and he has played a vital role in implementing the manager's philosophy at Anfield.
Here are some of the key lessons that Liverpool can learn from Rolfes:
- The importance of having a clear philosophy and sticking to it
- The value of recruiting players who are committed to the club and who are willing to buy into the philosophy
- The importance of developing a strong team culture
- The importance of attention to detail
- The importance of continuous improvement
