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Kenny Cunningham names the three players Liverpool need to replace to halt their slide.
In the second episode of our new podcast House of Football, host Eric Lalor was joined in the studio by former Republic of Ireland captain Kenny Cunningham.
This week, the pair discussed everything from the hype surrounding the League of Ireland to Bruno Fernandes’ role at Manchester United.
But the most pressing issue on the agenda was that of Liverpool’s collapse from title challengers to mid-table battlers, a fall from grace which has puzzled many onlookers this season.
The former Republic of Ireland captain delivered his take on the Merseyside club’s struggles and spoke about the players he believes Jurgen Klopp must move on this summer.
For Cunningham, Liverpool’s fatal flaw this season has been their ageing midfield duo of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.
The former Wimbledon defender reckons that there may need to be a new midfield pairing at Anfield this summer.
“It’s like a mini-rebuild, that’s not easy, because he put that team together,” Cunningham said about Klopp.
“And they’ve gone to war for him (Klopp) over the years. There are a couple of players there, you’re looking at and thinking, you’ve got to push them aside, you’ve got to thank them for what they’ve done, but we’ve got to move on. And that’s not an easy thing to do.
“The likes of Fabinho, the lack of athleticism, it’s very hard to carry a central midfielder like that…
“Henderson’s a little bit different in terms of personality around the football club, he still could be potentially around the squad you could use him (in a squad role).”
“I rocked up and the fella laughed at me! It was sold out!” 😭
Kenny Cunningham on how difficult it is to get into League of Ireland games this season.
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Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are set to leave the club on a free transfer when their contracts expire. Thiago, meanwhile, has been hampered by injuries.
Cunningham belives that midfield reinforcements are a must for the Reds this summer.
“Go and get two top-class centre midfielders… Players that have that physicality, box-to-box energy and a certain level of technical ability”, he said.
“Henderson’s legs have dropped off and Fabinho has never been the quickest. Fabinho was really an interceptor but he’s now having to cover bigger distances, cover 15, 20, and 25 yards and now people are looking at him thinking he’s not moving great.”
Cunningham went on to discuss who Liverpool should sign as midfield reinforcements in the summer.
You can watch the full episode below.
Haggling to get into League of Ireland games, Liverpool’s decline and Bruno Fernandes’ moaning. Former Ireland captain Kenny Cunningham joins Eric Lalor for House of Football episode two.
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