As Liverpool focus their efforts on bringing in youth during the summer window, the age profile of Jurgen Klopp‘s squad shows how necessary change will be.
There is no substitute for experience, with Klopp no stranger to the mantra.
But as Liverpool continue their evolution and a new generation emerges, it is clear that changes are required to an ageing core at Anfield.
The need for fresh blood is made abundantly by the numbers.
A study conducted by the Press Association shows that Liverpool relied more heavily on their older players than any other side in the Premier League last season.
The Reds saw the highest percentage of minutes played by players who will be 30 or over heading into the 2022/23 campaign, with 46.2 percent.
That is at least 6.3 per cent higher than any other side, with Newcastle (39.9%) relying the next most on their older players and Chelsea (37.1%) the next highest among the top four.
Newly promoted Bournemouth‘s age profile is the lowest, with only 9.6 percent of minutes afforded to players who will be over 30 in the new campaign.
Man City (22.1%) are significantly less reliant on over-30s than Liverpool.
It is no surprise, then, that a concerted effort has been made to lower the average age of the squad in the summer transfer window.
Darwin Nunez, 23, Fabio Carvalho, 19, and Calvin Ramsay, 18, have all been brought in, with no further incomings expected before deadline day on September 1.
Furthermore, it stands to reason that Liverpool hold an ongoing interest in 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, while a move for 22-year-old Aurelien Tchouameni was explored before he joined Real Madrid for £85 million.
The signings of Nunez, Carvalho and Ramsay effectively replace the outgoing Sadio Mane, 30, Divock Origi, 27, Takumi Minamino, 27, and potentially Neco Williams, 21.
Ibrahima Konate, 23, is also likely to enjoy a more prominent role, potentially taking over from Joel Matip, 30, while Curtis Jones, 21, and Harvey Elliott, 19, could be given more exposure.
There are high hopes, too, for 17-year-old Kaide Gordon and 19-year-olds Tyler Morton and Owen Beck, while youngsters Ben Doak, 16, and Trent Kone-Doherty, 15, have already been brought into the academy.
Liverpool are likely to still rely on their senior figures in the season to come, of course, with Virgil van Dijk, 30, Mohamed Salah, 30, Jordan Henderson, 32, and Thiago, 31, all expected to remain first-choice starters.
But there is every reason to believe they will not top the over-30s list at the end of 2022/23.
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