'I'm Not Convinced': Anfield legend slates Klopp for 'bizarre' Liverpool situation and slams his obsession with running

Despite playing fewer games than any team in the top six, Liverpool are currently making hard work of finishing in the top four, and Reds legend Jan Molby has blamed the club's inconsistency on Jurgen Klopp's stubborn insistence on rinsing his players in every single game. In his column for the Liverpool Echo this week, Molby criticised Klopp for 'implementing a hard-pressing style over an entire season', and for ignoring the obvious 'warning' signs associated with such an endlessly intense approach: "It's bizarre how [Liverpool] are stumbling across the line [when] there hasn't been European football. You've got to leave a little bit for later one, build match fitness up as you go along, and make sure you stay the distance. There's a way of pacing yourself and I'm not convinced you have to run 120km a game to be able to win". I've repeatedly made the same argument since Klopp arrived, but what do I know? As is often the ...

Deals Close? Klopp reveals 'very positive' transfer 'talks and confirms that Liverpool will 'sign' a new centre-back

When it comes to upcoming transfers, Jurgen Klopp doesn't usually give much away, but in a recent interview on the subject, Liverpool's boss was uncharacteristically candid about the Reds' plans for the summer transfer window. Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Klopp claimed that Liverpool is a 'really interesting project for players', and confirmed that transfer talks with new players are already well under way: "The talks we've had so far are very positive. That doesn't mean it will all work out, but they are really positive, and they all see the progress. That's good." Klopp also confirmed that centre-back is priority position to fill this summer: "It would make sense to sign a centre-back this summer - we have had injury issues in defence this season." Talk about understatement (!) The seemingly endless 'injury issues' afflicing Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip have negatively impacted on Liverpool's defens...

Anfield Alert: Klopp confirms 'uncomfortable situation' could force him to leave 'Liverpool'

It's now two seasons at Liverpool without a trophy, and Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is acutely aware that he needs to start delivering palpable success sooner rather than later. Speaking to Sport1 on Monday, Klopp hinted that Liverpool could be his last job in football, and further admitted: "If I fulfil my contract at Liverpool then there is a good chance I will have won something here. I could be in an uncomfortable situation if we do not win anything. People expect Liverpool to win trophies." Klopp is right - despite the Reds' regular failure to qualify for the Champions League, the club's fans still expect trophies, but the burden of expectation is part and parcel of being the manager of Liverpool. One thing's for sure: Klopp will be under intense pressure next season to win a trophy, and so he should be. Three years without a trophy for one of the world's alleged top managers is surely inconceivable, and I doubt that FSG had a 3-year trophy drough...

Anfield Farce: Klopp makes shock confession about Daniel Sturridge after Bournemouth fiasco,

Liverpool fans are still reeling from Jurgen Klopp's damaging decision to replace an attacking player with a defender during last night's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, and in my view, the most pressing question is this: why didn't Daniel Sturridge come on to replace Philippe Coutinho? In his post-match press conference, Klopp offered the following baffling response to that question: "When we took Phil [Coutinho] off on 60-something minutes, it was too early for Daniel [Sturridge] in this intense game". In the words of Charles Lee Ray (aka 'Chucky'): If it's 'too early' for Sturridge to play, then why was he on the bench ? Including a player on the bench generally signifies that the player is capable of playing, but seemingly not when it comes to Liverpool (!) Klopp must've known before the game that Sturridge isn't fit to play, yet he still decided to waste bench space on a player who's unable to contribute. It makes no sen...

'Absolutely Ridiculous': Aldo slates Klopp's failure to fix Liverpool's 'big' problem for Bournemouth game

Liverpool face Bournemouth in a few hours, and ahead of the game, John Aldridge has urged Jurgen Klopp to fix one specific aspect of the Reds' play. In his column this week for the Echo , Aldo slammed Liverpool's defending of free-kicks and corners as 'absolutely ridiculous', and insisted that Klopp needs to urgently focus on this defensive aspect of LFC's game. He explained: "The gap between the goalkeeper and the defensive line is far too big, it’s kamikaze, it’s an accident waiting to happen. A late runner and we’re in big trouble. Why don’t they all run out like we used to? I’m panicking every time the opposition get them". Aldo is right, and the proof is in the pudding: bar West Brom, Liverpool have conceded more goals from set-pieces this season than any other Premier League team, with the 14th set-piece goal coming against Everton at the weekend, a goal Aldo described as 'terrible, and 'sloppy'. Liverpool were top of the set-piec...

Deal Close: Klopp confirms Liverpool 'are in talks' with 'brilliant' €38m powerhouse. 73% of fans want transfer

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Liverpool are in the midst of contract discussions with one of the club's most polarising players. It's an open secret that Can is currently renegotiating his contract, and in his pre-match press conference today, Klopp confirmed it, when he told reporters : "We are in talks. Emre likes to be here. There are talks. Until the final year starts, no problems in this moment. Good talks held with a lot of other players.” Can may be in talks, but Reds legend Jamie Carragher believes that a summer exit may still be on the cards: "He [Can] has got a contract situation at the moment, but is he going to sign it? There is a good chance he may not be here next season. I don't see, when the first XI is picked, where else he can play except that [sitting] role." I have absolutely no problem with Can being sold. Liverpool can do better in that position, and given the fact he cost just £10m, there's clearly a great chance for th...

It's Your Fault: Klopp blames 'brilliant' €38m Liverpool star for Burnley 'problem'. Fair?

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has publicly called out one of Liverpool's players for his part in Burnley's goal at Anfield today. In the 10th minute, Burnley defender Matt Lowton received the ball in acres of space in midfield, and then, under little pressure, he had time to pick out an inch perfect pass into the box. Where was Emre Can during all this? Woefully out of position on the other side of the field, and upon seeing Lowton in space, Can jogged towards him in belated attempt to close down the space. Can's nonchalance and positional indiscipline didn't impress Klopp, who expressed his frustration after the game: "Emre knows that's a challenge he should've made [to stop the cross]. Also, too often he was in an aerial challenge. The problem then is protection, as you have no one for the second ball when Emre wins the ball, and there's a big space. Second half he did better". Burnley's goal illustrates once again how much Liverpool...

Confirmed: 'Brilliant' €62m duo 'not available' for Burnley; Klopp makes shock pre-match confession about Liverpool tactics

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has provided an injury update ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Burnley, and it's not good news. When asked today during his pre-match press conference if Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson are ready to play, Klopp confirmed : "No, they are not available". Henderson is currently struggling with a foot injury, and Sturridge has a hip complaint, and neither has trained with the first team in over a week now. Clearly, the injuries are more serious than Klopp is letting on, and in Sturridge's case, it's now six weeks since he started a game for Liverpool. With only two months of the campaign remaining, ' brilliant ' Sturridge faces an uphill battle to get back into the team, and it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if he struggles to play again this season. As for Henderson - he is significantly more robust that Sturridge, and he'll be desperate to get back on the field ASAP. On a related n...

Great News for Liverpool: Klopp drops huge 'transfer' hint; confirms he wants to sign 'two to six players'

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that he has the money to upgrade Liverpool's understrength squad during the upcoming summer transfer window. Speaking to The Guardian this week, Klopp admitted that he must 'improve the squad' this summer, and insisted that Liverpool 'will spend money' to achieve that. He explained: "We are working on [transfers] already, and we need between two and six players. We need to make the right transfers. It is not about money, we can go for the players we want". This comment dispels the spurious myth that FSG refuse to back Klopp in the transfer market. As Klopp states (again), money is not the issue for Liverpool - the problems Liverpool face in the market are (according to Klopp) as follows: "At the very top level you might be competing with Barcelona. Some players would rather live in London or Manchester instead of Liverpool, so we have to make a decision and try and make it happen". In my view, ...

He's Out: Klopp confirms 'excellent' €35m Liverpool star 'will not' play vs. Arsenal. Massive blow?

Liverpool's current injury woes continue, and it looks like Jurgen Klopp will be without one of the club's key players once again for Saturday's vital game against Arsenal. According to The Guardian this week, Jordan Henderson's prospects of playing on Saturday are 'remote', and Klopp confirmed this on Monday evening, when he told reporters : “It looks like he [Henderson] will not be ready for the Arsenal game". The fact that Liverpool miss Henderson arguably reveals the true depth of Liverpool's problems. Hendo is no Gerrard, or Alonso - he's a very good British player with a decent skill-set, yet despite the fact he is (IMO) eminently replaceable, Hendo appears to be Liverpool's most important player. Stats without Henderson: * This Season : 2 wins in 8 games ( 25% )  without Hendo. * 2015-16 : 15 wins in 36 games ( 42% ) * Win % last two seasons without JH: 38% (17 wins in 44 games). The good news is that when Hendo is out, Li...

Anfield Fail: Carra slams Klopp for 'shocking' Leicester fiasco and defends 'incredible' Liverpool star

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has leapt to the defence of one of Liverpool's most regularly criticised players. As is usually the case, makeshift central defender Lucas Leiva is currently being scapegoated for Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to West Ham, but speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Carra rejected criticism of the Brazilian, and blamed Jurgen Klopp for playing him out of position. He explained: "Liverpool were shocking. I felt sorry for Lucas Leiva. He’s probably getting a lot of stick from fans, but he’s not to blame. He shouldn’t be playing at centre-back; it’s like putting me on the wing - there’s no way I could do that". Gary Neville added: "Liverpool left Lucas - a very slow centre-back - against Vardy. He was exposed, but it's not his fault. Liverpool were poor, and leaving Lucas exposed encouraged Vardy". Everyone but Klopp can see that Lucas is not a centre-half! Yes, he'll have the occasional great game (Spurs, for examp...

'Massive' Fail: Gary Neville reveals 'shock' at Liverpool defeat and slates Klopp for pointless 'La Manga' trip

In the wake of Liverpool's poor 3-1 defeat against Leicester, Manc legend Gary Neville has questioned Jurgen Klopp' s decision to take the squad on a mid-season jolly to La Manga. Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Neville attacked Liverpool's apparent lethargy and lack of desire during the game, and scorned the trip to Spain: "What were they doing in La Manga? I’d love to know. I expect massive energy from Liverpool - that’s what they’re about. They had 16 days off, but didn’t show that. The drop in energy was a bigger shock than the goals conceded". Ten days ago, I criticised Klopp's decision to take his squad of soft, overpaid Nivea models on an undeserved holiday to the Spanish coast, and after tonight's dire performance, it's clear that the players' sun-drenched sojourn made zero difference. The Leicester defeat proves once again that  Klopp  is a rigid, inflexible manager in every aspect of his job. He has not changed or grown ...

Anfield Update: Klopp drops massive Liverpool transfer hint; admits he 'loves' midfield 'monster'

Last week, Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Liverpool are already 'in talks' with Agents and players ahead of the upcoming transfer window, and now, Liverpool's boss has hinted at the type of player that may be on his radar this summer. Speaking to Ekstrabladet this week, Klopp revealed his admiration for 'fantastic' Danish striker Kasper Dolberg , and further enthused: "I love Danish players. They have a good attitude and a strong mentality. It's not that they are Danes - it is all about their qualities. I had Leon Andreasen in Mainz. He was a monster. I also have fond memories of Bo Svensson and Mohamed Zidan". When it comes to Danish players, Jan Molby and Daniel Agger immediately spring to mind, and both (especially Molby) were fantastic for Liverpool during their time at Anfield. Overall, though, Liverpool's experience with Danish players hasn't been great, with comparatively inferior players like Jorgen Nielsen, Torben Pichnik, Martin...

Deals Close? Klopp drops massive Liverpool transfer hint; confirms he's 'in talks' to sign some 'good players'

klop Speaking to the Liverpool Echo on Friday, Klopp confirmed that Liverpool are already 'in talks with players and agents', but added: “Not a lot of decisions have been already made at this point [but] we are on the way. We have a really good squad, and a few more good players will make it even better. There's a good base.” It looks like Klopp is planning to get his transfer business done early again this year, which can only be a good thing, especially with no international tournaments in the summer to interfere with pre-season preparations. In my view, Liverpool's transfer priorities are (or should be) as follows (in order of urgency): * Centre-back (Experienced, top-class performer; tough and vocal; leadership ability) * Defensive-midfielder (Proven quality; rarely injured; strong personality; leadership ability). * Striker (Finished article; proven quality; rarely injured) * Goalkeeper (Proven quality; strong, Schmeichel-esque personality; unafr...

Macca Warns: Liverpool could face huge 'disaster' in 3 months and Klopp has 'no excuses'

Is a 4th place finish good enough for Liverpool this season? After being knocked out of both cup competitions, Champions League qualification is Liverpool's sole remaining goal, and according to Anfield legend Steve McManaman, a 4th place finish will mean a successful season for the Reds. Speaking to ESPN this week, Macca explained: "If Liverpool finish 4th it’ll be a success, but if they finish 5th and 8th, it’ll be a disaster. There are no excuses now for Jurgen Klopp. With one game a week and 15 days rest till the next game, he has to finish in the top four, or the pressure will come on his shoulders". I'm sure most realistic fans with reasonable expectations will agree with this view. As regular visitors will attest, I've argued this point since before the season even started: the only goal for Liverpool this season is finishing in the top 4, and if Klopp achieves that, it will be a successful campaign, especially after finishing 8th last year. Live...

Reward for Failure: Why Liverpool's players don't deserve mid-season jolly to La Manga

Do Liverpool's players deserve what basically amounts to a mid-season holiday to sunny La Manga? Bar one good performance against Spurs, Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool's pampered, obscenely well paid players have utterly failed to do their jobs since the turn of the year: * 2 wins in 11 games, with one of those coming against League two opposition. * Defeats against relegation fodder (Hull and Swansea City). * Home defeat against Wolves, who are hovering dangerously close to the Championship relegation zone. * Dumped out of two cup competitions, and a steep drop from 2nd to 6th (and then 5th) in the Premier League table. And the reward for this? A 5-day jolly to a sunny seaside resort in Spain. Nice work if you can get it! Why do Liverpool need to spend what probably amounts to hundreds of thousands of pounds to travel across Europe to train ? The players don't deserve a mid-season holiday - they should be busting a gut on the training ground at Melwood, but in...

'Oh My God!': Klopp hails 'magnificent' €55m Liverpool star for best 'ever' performance vs. Spurs ('without scoring')

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has heaped praise on one of Liverpool's attacking players for his standout performance against Spurs. In his post-Spurs interview with BT Sport, Klopp raved: "Firmino - oh my god! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better performance from a striker without scoring". Gee, don't exaggerate or anything (!) Klopp constantly speaks in glowing terms about Firmino, and this is just the latest in a long line of gushing interviews about him. It's hardly surprising, though - Firmino embodies everything Klopp loves about a striker, and work-rate, pressing, and running are clearly more important than actually scoring goals. Maybe it's just me, but to earn the lofty title of 'best performance from a striker without scoring', I'd expect a striker to be a consistent goal threat during a game. Against Spurs, Firmino had just one shot on goal all game, and created one chance in 90 minutes. Plus, the Brazilian lost possession more than ...

Anfield Miracle: Klopp reveals his stunningly ambitious 'dream' for Liverpool FC. Impossible...?

Liverpool may be in the midst of the worst run of results in decades, but Jurgen Klopp is determined to finish the season strongly. In his pre-Spurs press conference today, Klopp insisted that Liverpool can salvage the season after the trainwreck of the last month, revealed his improbable goal for the next few months: "In my dreams, we can win 14 games. I know how it sounds, but I cannot change my dream. That’s what I’m working for". That's quite an objective, but in order to achieve it, Klopp will have to break current records, and take Liverpool on an unprecedented (and unlikely) winning streak. Current Premier League records: * Arsenal [2002]: 14 wins a row (Albeit across two seasons) * Chelsea [2016]: 13 wins in a row Klopp will also have to break Brendan Rodgers' superb record of 11 wins in a row during the 2013-14 season, a year when Liverpool came within 2 points of winning the title. Rafa Benitez also presided over a 10-game winning streak durin...

Klopp vs. Van Gaal (Man Utd): First 85 games comparison. Surprising stats show Liverpool's real progress

Louis Van Gaal is roundly maligned by Liverpool fans for his perceived failure at Manchester United, but how do the Dutchman's first 85 games at Old Trafford compare to Jurgen Klopp's first 85 games in charge at Anfield? In previous articles this week, I've already shown the following: * Brendan Rodgers had a better record that Jurgen Klopp in his first *and* last 85 games in charge at Liverpool. * The Reds have regressed in the league since Klopp took over , with Rodgers' 52% win ratio (in his last 85 games) reduced to 48% under the German. Van Gaal is a good comparison, for several reasons: * LVG took over when Man Utd were at a low ebb, and had just finished 7th in the league. * Like Klopp, Van Gaal had won league titles in one of the world's top leagues. * In common with Klopp, Van Gaal brought with him a very specific footballing philosophy, and proceeded to stubbornly impose it on his team. * In the interests of fairness, unlike Van Gaal, Klop...

Macca: €23m Liverpool star must start vs. Spurs or it'll be 'really damaging'. Agree?

Should Simon Mignolet be dropped for Saturday's crunch clash with Tottenham Hotspur? Mignolet - recently described by Klopp as being 'in brilliant shape' - has made two mistakes in his last two games, but according to ex-Red Jason McAteer : “Yes, he [Mignolet] made a mistake last weekend but while it was right to drop him the first time it would be really damaging to do it again. It would do more harm than good to bring Karius back". I totally agree with this, and argued similar points right after the defeat to Hull. On the whole, Mignolet has been solid since his return to the team, and he's actually won the club points along the way. Chelsea, for example - he made a minor mistake with the free-kick goal, but then saved a penalty, which stopped the Reds from losing, and won the team a point. Mignolet's record since his return to the side: * 10 goals conceded in 9 games (One every 90 mins) * Liverpool unbeaten in 7 of those 9 games (3 clean sheets)...