A losing streak and 5-0 thrashings: Liverpool heroes in trouble already at sinking European side

Former Liverpool quartet Pep Lijnders, Stefgan Bajcetic, Bobby Clark and Jurgen Klopp
Former Liverpool quartet Pep Lijnders, Stefgan Bajcetic, Bobby Clark and Jurgen Klopp (Image credit: Future)

Former Liverpool coach Pep Lijnders took his first step into management over the summer after accepting the managerial role at Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.

Jurgen Klopp's former right-hand-man brought a taste of Anfield with him to his new job, bringing in both Bobby Clark and Stefan Bajcetic on permanent and loan deals respectively.

Furthermore, Klopp himself now has influence over the club after accepting a role as 'head of global soccer' at Red Bull in which he will oversee the running of each of the affiliated RB clubs.

Former Liverpool coach suffers nightmare start at Red Bull Salzburg

Pep Lijnders has praised Diogo Jota's instincts

Lijnders and Klopp worked closely together at Liverpool

Salzburg have established themselves as a genuine powerhouse of Austrian football in recent years, gaining a stronghold on the domestic league while making inroads into being a competitive Champions League outfit.

Responsible for the respective breakthroughs of Erling Haaland, Sadio Mane, Benjamin Sesko and Marcel Sabitzer, the club has developed a reputation as one of the most effective talent farms on the continent.

Erling Braut Haaland Red Bull Salzburg

Haaland rose to prominence during his spell in Austria

Last season's Austrian Bundesliga runners-up have, however, suffered somewhat of a fall from grace since the arrival of the Liverpool quartet.

The club currently sit fourth in the league having recently suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat to fellow Austrian giants Sturm Graz, while they are yet to pick up a single point in the newly-formatted Champions League group stage, sparred bottom spot by just a single goal difference.

A 0-4 home defeat to French side Brest on Matchday 2 confirmed just how far off the pace Lijnders' side really are, while defeats to fellow suspected strugglers Sparta Praha and Dinamo Zagreb without scoring a single goal have left the club staring down the barrel of an early elimination.

Bajcetic, hailed as one of Liverpool's most promising youngsters, has failed to find any real consistency to make the best of his loan move so far having seen his minutes largely restricted by the Dutch manager over recent games.

VIDEO: Why Chelsea Couldn't Handle Liverpool's Curtis Jones

A tough away double-header face Salzburg in the Champions League, with Feyenoord and Bayer Leverkusen on the horizon before PSG and the two Madrid sides round off their group stage campaign.

Still blessed with plenty of exciting young talent, Lijnders will realistically be hoping for a turnaround in their domestic form in order to turn around what has proven to be a rather difficult debut season in senior management.

James Ridge is a freelance journalist based in the UK. He recently spent time with The United Stand as an online news editor and has covered the beautiful game from England’s eighth tier all the way to the Premier League.

Read more
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield on September 14, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
'Many of us at Liverpool expected a downfall when Jurgen Klopp left, like with Wenger, Ferguson and others. We didn’t expect to be where we are today - and that's largely thanks to Arne' Alexis Mac Allister explains his initial expectations of Arne Slot
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has made a decision regarding one 20-year-old midfielder
Liverpool midfielder set for La Liga move as Arne Slot makes vital decision: report
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
Illustration of Arne Slot by Neil Jamieson, The Sporting Press
‘If Xabi Alonso had wanted the Liverpool job, Arne Slot might still be in Rotterdam' Respected writer and Liverpool fan Tony Evans provides the inside story of the quest to replace Jurgen Klopp and the shocking factor no one expected
Liverpool fans show their support with flags and banners prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Ipswich Town FC at Anfield on January 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England
Arne Slot can win more than Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool but one thing needs to happen
General view of Anfield from the corner flag ahead of Liverpool versus Wolves in the Premier League in April 2024.
Liverpool lose major figure to another club as new sporting director makes his first move
Latest in Stories
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Latest in News
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report