reinforcement

The initial work will restore rock reinforcements, known as riprap, along the tracks that have degraded due to wave damage and beach erosion, the agency said.

The platform remains – but Liverpool will now go into overdrive this summer, with their recruitment team, under sporting director Richard Hughes, well on with preparations to add heavyweight reinforcements.

Khusanov and Reis, who have only recently turned 21 and 19 respectively, arrived as defensive reinforcements in January but Given would be wary of making sweeping changes at the back.

It might not be the only reunion in line for the Chargers, who could still look for reinforcements at receiver.

With such lavish reinforcements, however, came a backlash of criticism from some corners of the sport.