Qualifying for the Champions League would already be a success for Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool this year. Image: www.imago-images.de / imago images
analysis
Jürgen Klopp was terribly upset about the referee. The fans were angry that Klopp always blames the referee after defeats. And Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher raged on British TV about “an aging team that is about to end”. The new year could have started more pleasantly for Jürgen Klopp.
Liverpool FC lost 3-1 at Brentford FC last Monday evening. After 17 of 38 game days in the Premier League, nothing has been decided yet, but the Reds will have nothing to do with the championship title this season.
They are seventh in the table, 16 points behind leaders Arsenal and seventh in fourth place, which entitles them to play in the Champions League.
To avoid further unrest, Liverpool must progress in the 3rd round of the FA Cup against Wolverhamptom Wanderers on Saturday night. A week later comes the landmark away game against in-form Brighton Hove & Albion, just a point shy of the Reds.
After seven years of constant success, including a Champions League victory, championship title and inspiring power football, development under Jürgen Klopp has stagnated.
The German coach is currently trying everything to counteract this.
Jurgen Klopp complains to the assistant referee. Image: www.imago-images.de / imago images
Liverpool invested over 100 million in two new players
Liverpool put 45 million euros on the table for World Cup shooting star Cody Gakpo at the turn of the year. It was 80 million euros in the summer for striker Darwin Núñez, who was supposed to replace Sadio Mané, who had moved to FC Bayern, and rejuvenate the team.
So far it hasn’t quite paid off. Núñez is looking for his form after a promising start and has repeatedly endured ridicule for his poor finish.
Added to this is the consistent injury pitch of regular players. In-form attackers Diogo Jota (calf injury) and Luis Díaz (knee injury) have been out since October and are not expected to return until early March.
The defense around defense star Virgil van Dijk no longer seems invincible. With 22 goals conceded after 17 games, Liverpool have the second worst defense of the top six teams.
Midfield is Liverpool’s problem area
The biggest problem, however, is the midfield. A clear midfielder who protects the team from the defense is missing. Liverpool signed the last center player with Thiago four and a half years ago. But the Spaniard is also repeatedly absent with injuries. It is also questionable how much Thiago (31 years old), captain Jordan Henderson (32) and Fabinho (29), who also always struggles with minor ailments, can cope with the enormous pressures in English football.
“They have to be at least £40m-50m players.”
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher
In addition, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones, veteran James Milner and the permanently injured Arthur Melo and Naby Keita are also in the squad for the center. But a major upheaval is looming in this position. Chamberlain, Keita and Milner are all out of contract, Arthur will return to Juventus after his loan and Jones wants to leave the club.
Liverpool FC: More rumors about expensive newcomers
As a result, Liverpool legend Carragher believes three new midfielders are a must: “They have to be at least £40m-50m players.”
Even though Klopp explained after the Gakpo transfer that further arrivals in winter are ruled out, there are always new rumors about the signing of central midfielders.
The 19-time English champion is said to be interested in Moisés Caicedo from the opponent after next, Brighton. Requested transfer fee: 70 million euros. In the summer, the Reds are said to want to sign Matheus Nunes from upcoming opponents Wolverhampton. Requested transfer fee: 50 million euros.
The players are always expensive. But it is questionable whether they have the necessary class to play for the Premier League and Champions League titles with Liverpool.
Liverpool FC: criticism also of Klopp’s assistant coach Ljinders
In the British press, the criticism does not only fall back on Jürgen Klopp, but also on his assistant trainer Pep Ljinders.
Some experts even say that the Dutchman has too much influence on Jürgen Klopp’s game idea. Because the game of Liverpool has developed from the sprint-intensive style more to the possession-oriented football of the Dutchman.
But Liverpool need the more energy-efficient kind of football if they are to remain successful and injury-free through a full 60+ game season.
Carragher, who has played over 700 games for Liverpool, isn’t a fan.
“Once the intensity of a game increases, they can’t keep up. Liverpool have had a problem against physical teams all season. And let’s not forget, we’re talking about a team that proudly says, ‘Intensity is our identity.'”
Liverpool bosses keep believing in Klopp
Klopp revised the goals for the season down a little in an interview with “Sport Bild” during the week. “Reaching the Champions League is of course extremely important for us. It’s incredibly difficult. People are a bit spoiled there because we’ve mostly made it early in recent years.”
He also prepared the fans for the fact that they need staying power. “It may take a while for us to catch up.”
Despite the weak season so far, the club officials are backing him. Klopp’s contract at Anfield was only extended until 2026 in April. Should he fulfill the contract, he would be in office for eleven years.
At the moment the pressure on the German coach is greater than ever during his tenure. Because if he wants to continue investing in new players to get a competitive team back on its feet, the Reds have to play in the Champions League.
But the team currently lacks the self-confidence and self-image of a top team. To get that, it takes wins. Preferably on Saturday night against Wolverhampton.
The new Formula 1 season starts in two months. The 20 drivers will start with the race in Bahrain on the first weekend in March, before the F1 entourage moves all over the world and stops at a total of 23 tracks. Mick Schumacher will not sit in a regular cockpit this year.
