- 19 hours ago
Liverpool can perform Klopp trick again for next manager
Liverpool collapsed to a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, leaving their top four hopes in disarray and further compounding the misery on Jurgen Klopp, prompting concerns about the way the Reds manager has handled this season.
Klopp is in his seventh full season at Liverpool but his side have failed to come close to replicating the success of last year, where they were competing for a quadruple and among the most feared sides in the world.
Liverpool have been paying the price for poor recruitment which has seen Klopp forced to rely on an ageing and unbalanced midfield, having opted against bringing in a significant upgrade last summer.
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Klopp supported the club’s decision at the time, questioning reporters who raised concerns over Liverpool’s lack of quality in midfield, but he soon took back his words and scrambled to bring in Arthur Melo on loan on deadline day – a move out of desperation which has not paid off.
Liverpool have seen a decline in overall performances and look likely to require a transitionary period where the squad is revitalised, perhaps missing out on Champions League qualification in exchange.
The question should then be asked as to whether the Liverpool boss should be part of any rebuild, with another elite German manager available in Julian Nagelsmann, in a move which could be reminiscent of Klopp’s arrival at the club.
Now could be the time to give Klopp a hero’s exit at Liverpool
Klopp will go down as a Liverpool legend, having led the Reds to seven trophies during his eight years in charge, an unprecedented amount of time to remain at one club in this day and age.
Indeed, Klopp spent seven successful years at Dortmund prior to joining Liverpool but his time with the German side also saw a stale decline and the relationship fizzle out to a disappointing end.
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Klopp has earned the right to decide his own fate but the best move for all parties could be to part ways amicably at the end of the season before the situation becomes untenable through another year of uncertain ownership surrounding the club and, in turn, another potentially difficult summer.
Nagelsmann suffered a shock sacking by Bayern Munich last month and the 35-year-old will undoubtedly be targeted by every major side in the world who are considering changing manager, such as Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Making the shrewd move to approach Nagelsmann could perfectly set Liverpool up to move into a new era while also proactively preventing Klopp from an unwanted and potentially nightmare end to his fairytale tenure.