A lot of discussion recently about the average age of our squad, or more specifically aging players. I saw a table recently which stated we have the oldest starting XI of 29.4 yrs, which clearly didn't seem right at all and must have included Milner and Firmino as starters. So what is the reality?
Note I'm excluding Milner from all calculations because we all know that this is his last season and even then he is only going to be used sparingly and in exceptional circumstances (last 20 mins, FAC/LC or during injury crisis).
Rather than taking the whole squad and dividing it by the number, which is very misleading, I'm concentrating on those that are statistically relevant (or will be over the coming seasons).
Looking at what could be considered our starting XI this season (the usual + Konate who Klopp now seems to prefer ahead of Matip and Nunez in place of Jota/Firmino) the average age is 27.36 yrs old. About perfect for a PL / CL challenging team.
If we replace Hendo with Elliott (which could be the reality over the course of this season) then that drops to 26.18. And including the other important members of the squad (by game time) : Elliott, Gomez, Matip, Carvalho, Firmino & Jota, that is 26.44 yrs old.
As the issue isn't with the average age let's look at the older individuals bearing in mind advanced modern medical techniques and fitness & diet regimes :
Alisson 29 : definitely no problem here, another 5 yrs or more remain.
VvD 31 : CBs tend to last longer than most other positions and he can be considered in his prime so maybe another 3-4 yrs at the top.
Thiago 31 : injury prone though no problem with current ability, at the top of his game with stats comparable to when much younger at Barca & Bayern. I'd give him this and next season.
Hendo 31 : Still capable of superb games but the consistency has gone as has his stamina. Elliott will replace him this season.
Matip 30 : Injury prone but was superb last season. Can be a member of the squad for the next 2 seasons.
Salah 30 : He is clearly in supreme condition and rarely gets injured. I can see at least 2 more years at the top level and another 2 in the squad, unless he decides to leave for more game time.
Firmino 30 : This will be his last season with us.
There are no real age issues with any others for the next 2-3 years (Robbo 28 & Keita 27).
The succession is likely to be along the lines (replacing as a starter or in the squad) of :
2022/23
Henderson by Elliott
Mo (challenged by NEW)
Thiago (challenged by NEW)
2023/24
Matip by NEW
Firmino by NEW
I can't see any serious age related issues to be honest.
Thoughts?
Note I'm excluding Milner from all calculations because we all know that this is his last season and even then he is only going to be used sparingly and in exceptional circumstances (last 20 mins, FAC/LC or during injury crisis).
Rather than taking the whole squad and dividing it by the number, which is very misleading, I'm concentrating on those that are statistically relevant (or will be over the coming seasons).
Looking at what could be considered our starting XI this season (the usual + Konate who Klopp now seems to prefer ahead of Matip and Nunez in place of Jota/Firmino) the average age is 27.36 yrs old. About perfect for a PL / CL challenging team.
If we replace Hendo with Elliott (which could be the reality over the course of this season) then that drops to 26.18. And including the other important members of the squad (by game time) : Elliott, Gomez, Matip, Carvalho, Firmino & Jota, that is 26.44 yrs old.
As the issue isn't with the average age let's look at the older individuals bearing in mind advanced modern medical techniques and fitness & diet regimes :
Alisson 29 : definitely no problem here, another 5 yrs or more remain.
VvD 31 : CBs tend to last longer than most other positions and he can be considered in his prime so maybe another 3-4 yrs at the top.
Thiago 31 : injury prone though no problem with current ability, at the top of his game with stats comparable to when much younger at Barca & Bayern. I'd give him this and next season.
Hendo 31 : Still capable of superb games but the consistency has gone as has his stamina. Elliott will replace him this season.
Matip 30 : Injury prone but was superb last season. Can be a member of the squad for the next 2 seasons.
Salah 30 : He is clearly in supreme condition and rarely gets injured. I can see at least 2 more years at the top level and another 2 in the squad, unless he decides to leave for more game time.
Firmino 30 : This will be his last season with us.
There are no real age issues with any others for the next 2-3 years (Robbo 28 & Keita 27).
The succession is likely to be along the lines (replacing as a starter or in the squad) of :
2022/23
Henderson by Elliott
Mo (challenged by NEW)
Thiago (challenged by NEW)
2023/24
Matip by NEW
Firmino by NEW
I can't see any serious age related issues to be honest.
Thoughts?