LONDON: Jurgen Klopp has already learned two important lessons about survival in the competitive hurly-burly of English football.

The first is the importance of the pre-season preparation in setting up players’ fitness for the nine months ahead.

Once the season starts clubs with ambitions in four competitions at home and abroad lack time to indulge in anything more than rest and recuperation amid the relentless onslaught of matches on a complex mixture of days and kickoffs.

Hence the second lesson, that rotation of a large squad is essential to maintain and protect the mental and physical fitness of core players. This means, in turn, that cup competitions must be used to serve the Premier priority.

This means taking calculated risks. Hence Klopp’s ‘reward’ for fielding an effective reserve team in the FA Cup on Saturday at home to West Ham was a goalless draw which added yet another fixture to the Reds’ packed schedule.

A replay in east London next month was almost the last thing Klopp wanted after nine matches in 29 days including the high-tension two legs of the League Cup semi-final. But even Sir Alex Ferguson had to endure the occasional ‘weak team’ setback in pursuit of the greater good.

At least rotation offers competitive opportunities for a manager to test his promising youngsters.

Thus the most impressive outfield player on Saturday night at Anfield was 19-year-old Cameron Brannagan but fellow midfielder Kevin Stewart, abrasive leftback Brad Smith and skilful winger Joao Teixeira all seized the opportunity to impress, with next season in mind.

Traditionalists decry ‘weak team syndrome’ for downgrading the importance of the FA Cup but this is an inevitable fact of life for all Premier managers as Klopp has learned . . . with a trip to Leicester City awaiting tomorrow [TUESDAY].

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