Jamie Carragher has opened up on claims that Liverpool are considering a replacement for Jurgen Klopp at the Anfield helm amid another disappointing performance this weekend.
The Reds have enjoyed one of the most successful periods in their history under the German. Reaching three Champions League finals, the side went close to winning an unprecedented quadruple last season too. He is also the man who helped end the club’s 30-year wait to be crowned champions of England and will forever be remembered as a legend on Merseyside.
However, this season has not gone according to plan. Having failed to strengthen their midfield sufficiently over the summer, they are already surrendered their hold on both the FA Cup and Carabao Cups.
And currently sitting 10th in the Premier League, they have only won eight of their 20 games so far. That tally also includes seven defeats – and leaves the Merseysiders a distant 11 points off Newcastle in fourth.
As such, it will take a remarkable turnaround over the second half of the season to qualify for the Champions League again.
Their miserable run of form continued on Saturday as Wolves ran out 3-0 winners. It was Liverpool’s third-successive away defeat – and leads to the heat growing considerably on Klopp’s shoulders.
During the game the Wolves fans taunted him with ‘Sacked in the morning’ chants. And after the full-time whistle, Klopp offered an apology and admitted the excuses were running dry.
That has led to suggestions Liverpool could look to sack the popular German. Contracted to summer 2026, calling time on his reign would cost Liverpool a hefty pay-off. However, a new favourite to replace him emerged in November.
Jamie Carragher on Jurgen Klopp sack talk
Despite calls for Liverpool to replace him at the helm, Jamie Carragher is adamant they should stand by their man. And he’s urging FSG not to do anything rash with the pundit still seeing Klopp as the best man for the job.
In face, the Sky Sports pundit insists Klopp can turn things around.
“There’s a lot of questions that need to be asked and a lot of answers to be found,” he said. “But at the start of next season I don’t think there’s anyone Liverpool supporters would want in that dugout other than Jurgen Klopp.
Carragher also believes Klopp has been hindered by Liverpool’s transfer policy.
They have forked out big money for Darwin Nunez and again for Cody Gakpo. But it is evidentally clear that Liverpool need midfielders, not forwards to help them progress.
“There was money there for a midfield player, they tried to buy the lad who went to Real Madrid for £60-£70 million [Aurelien Tchouameni],” he added. “They couldn’t get him. Then Jurgen Klopp and his staff or the recruitment team decided that we don’t need to buy a midfielder.
“That is on them. They’ve got to the start of this season, and from day one at Fulham, they haven’t been able to cope with the intensity of a Premier League game of football. They’ve been ran over in every game that they’ve played.”
Klopp insists excuses are running out for Liverpool
Liverpool next face Everton in the Premier League, before a tough trip to Newcastle.
Real Madrid are next in the Champions League, offering Liverpool a chance to avenge last season’s final defeat. However, their record against the Spanish champions does not read well.
Reflecting on his side’s sluggish display at Molineux, Klopp admits people are sick of hearing excuses.
“You can criticise, you can judge us, you can say whatever you want and you are probably right. I have nothing to say against that because these 12 minutes [at the start] are not allowed,” he said.
Liverpool have had a transfer window to forgetAfter not securing a deal for a midfielder, it’s fair to say that January wasn’t the best for Liverpool.0 seconds of 1 minute, 16 secondsVolume 90%
“Coming here, with all the things we did in the last few days and during the whole season so far, then you arrive here and this is the outcome, that’s really hard to take, I have to say. So I don’t think we had other games like this with conceding early goals… but maybe we didn’t win games so it’s pretty likely when you lose games that you concede the first one.”
The club will need to see a big improvement going forwards. And perhaps the Champions League is now their most important competition going forwards. Indeed, the winners are guaranteed a place in next season’s competition.
That, right now, looks a more likely route than through the Premier League.
source: www.teamtalk.com
