Two matches could be pivotal in determining the fate of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, with a report revealing what owners FSG will base their decision on.
The problems at Liverpool were there for all to see as early as matchday one this season. The Reds were out-fought and out-thought when drawing 2-2 against newly-promoted Fulham on opening day.
Only a moment of magic from the now-injured Luis Diaz prevented defeat next time out against Crystal Palace. However, those two poor results proved just the tip of the iceberg.
A trip to Old Trafford offered a chance to kickstart Liverpool’s season and with Man Utd having lost their opening two matches by an aggregate score of 6-1, hopes were high.
However, United played Liverpool off the park in their 2-1 victory and since then, things have gone from bad to worse for the Reds.
Humbling defeats against Napoli (4-1), Brentford (3-1), Brighton and Wolves (both 3-0) have since followed. Jurgen Klopp has repeatedly called for change, though as yet, he appears powerless to actually affect any such change.
Liverpool have been crying out for midfield reinforcements in the market, though their two biggest buys over the last six months both came in the forward ranks (Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo).
The Reds did attempt to sign Aurelien Tchouameni last summer, though the Frenchman only had eyes for Real Madrid.
However, the decision to then forego signing a back-up option has left club legend Jamie Carragher pointing the finger at Klopp and co, not FSG.
The Reds are out of both domestic cups and sit a lowly 10th in the league. Barring a remarkable turnaround, they may not be in Europe altogether next season, never mind the Champions League.
By and large, Klopp has been immune to criticism from large sections of the club’s fanbase. Owners FSG are generally the target for their ire, though that’s not to say Klopp isn’t increasingly coming under the microscope.
Champions League the key to Klopp’s fate?
Indeed, a report from Caught Offside has claimed FSG are ‘likely’ to sack their heralded manager in the event their last hope of a trophy this year – the Champions League – ends in embarrassment.
Despite winning five from six in the group stage, Liverpool were beaten to top spot by Napoli. As such, they entered the draw for the Round of 16 as a group runner-up and were handed the unenviable task of unseating European champions Real Madrid.
Los Blancos have won five of the last nine Champions Leagues including sinking Liverpool in the 2018 and 2022 finals.
Caught Offside report that while FSG don’t expect any miracles, they will take a dim view of Klopp if the UCL campaign ‘crumbles’ in the same manner the domestic season has.
The article states Liverpool’s hierarchy are prepared to wait for the outcome of the Real Madrid ties before ‘deciding their manager’s fate’.
Liverpool host Real on February 21 before travelling to the Bernabeu for the return leg on March 15.
Other outlets and reporters have stressed Klopp is not under any immediate threat. Indeed, the Athletic’s James Pearce claimed there’s ‘no chance’ Klopp is axed and he retains the ‘full backing’ of the decision-makers.
However, that was once a view that was universally shared across all sections of the media.
With Liverpool’s season spiralling out of control and the daunting prospect of Real Madrid on the horizon, the notion Klopp is 100 percent safe is no longer being adopted by all.
