20 Apr 2024 07:39:07
{Ed's Note - MK Scouser has posted a new article entitled, Will Jurgen Klopp Leave Liverpool On A Whimper?

1.) 20 Apr 2024
20 Apr 2024 08:35:16
I can only hope.

2.) 20 Apr 2024
20 Apr 2024 09:21:41
Looks to me like they were snatching at chances, playing everything too fast, almost overdoing the coaching, trying too hard to deliver something for Klopp.

It’s not surprising because when a personality like that announces they are leaving it throws people mentally. Still in with a chance of the league, we don’t know how City will be affected by losing to Real. Emotion plays a part, but trying too hard, playing it too quick without composure likely comes from wanting to deliver this season all bagged up a short space of time in an emotional way for Klopp.

I like Klopp, wanted him to replace Moyes but he does seem to have a limited shelf life. He likes his teams to play with energy, however, whilst his buys this season give that they don’t seem to be able to have the composure when it matters.

The league is not over, would prefer Arsenal to win it, not least because the over emotional finale for Klopp would go very over the top.

3.) 21 Apr 2024
21 Apr 2024 13:37:34
Klopp's done a phenomenal job to take them from where they were when he took over to the pinnacle he got them to.

It's important to remember though that he didn't do it on his own, he had a good structure around him that helped him totally rebuild the squad over 2-3 years before Liverpool were able to truly challenge at the top.

There were times he was derided and even labelled Flopp by some people. His players suffered badly with injuries as he increased the intensity in training to get the players to the required levels of fitness.

His side would struggle against certain tactics, in his first couple of years they couldn't break down a low block, and relied heavily on winning the ball back high.

They were also prone to conceding counter attack goals, and often faded later in games, conceding late to drop points.

It was a long hard road, they also didn't have the funds to have as deep a squad as teams like City. Making it much harder to compete on all fronts.

Yet Klopp still managed to win everything with them. That has to be respected, even if through gritted teeth.

However, it does seem like Liverpool have come to the end of a cycle. They've already seen key players like Henderson, Firmino, Mane, and Fabinho leave. Salah, Matip, VvD, and Robertson don't have years left. Maybe 1 or 2 before they either start to seriously decline or look to move on.

They've rebuilt the the forward line with players like Jota, Gakpo, Diaz and Nunez, yet they don't look as dangerous as the peak Mane, Firmino and Salah front line.

Then last summer they rebuilt the midfield with mixed success in my opinion. Mac Alister and Szoboszlai have been absolute successes. Endo has also been a good signing, but his age means he isn't a long term fix. Endo might be useful bridge until Bajcetic is ready, and he was cheap enough. While Gravenberch hasn't lived up to the hype at all. Curtis Jones has been twice the player.

It's a weird one as they have some good options, but the balance doesn't quite seem right yet. Much like in the forward line they look like they need that one player who'll bring it all together in midfield as well.

Defence is where they need to totally rebuild, VvD and Robertson are on limited time. They need to decide where or how they will play TAA, while Quansah and Bradley look like good long term options. Konate is an injury concern. When fit he's a very good option, but ideally you need consistency in defence. That's hard to do when you have a CB constantly in and out of the side due to injury. Gomez I think is a great squad option, but probably not good enough to be first choice. They need a couple of LB's and at least one top class CB, maybe two depending on how they will look to play.

If they can get the right manager in, then bring in the right players in defence, as well as a midfielder and a forward then they would be fairly set for a new chapter.

Unfortunately for Klopp it's been a long hard season and injury and fatigue looks like they will probably rob him of a big finish. Ultimately I think for his high energy style of play he needed to be able to build a deeper squad of greater quality to avoid burn out and injuries.

Looking across at City they tend to win the league in the second half of the season. Often slow out the blocks, but normally top by Christmas or there abouts. After that they slowly pull away at the top. A combination of having greater quality in depth and a more controlled style of play (meaning less fatigue and hard running, keeping his players fresher for longer) has made City a tough team to overtake. Klopp came mightily close.

The question is can anyone consistently compete with City a full season.