JURGEN KLOPP is taking pressure off his Liverpool players by ‘controlling the narrative’ just like Sir Alex Ferguson did.
That’s according to Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, while fellow pundit Peter Crouch believes Klopp is creating a ‘you versus us’ mentality with his Premier League champions.
Rio Ferdinand says Jurgen Klopp is taking pressure off his Liverpool players by controlling the narrativeCredit: AP:Associated Press
Ferdinand has revealed the same tactic was used by Man Utd legend Sir Alex FergusonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Liverpool boss Klopp has made no secret of his disdain for the hectic fixture schedule this season.
His Liverpool squad has been decimated by injuries, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Thiago Alcantara among the long-term casualties.
Klopp’s anger was clear for all to see after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Brighton where he laid the blame at the door of BT Sport.
But Ferdinand reckons the German is protecting his players by taking the attention away from their performances, just like Man Utd icon Fergie.
And Crouch adds Klopp is ‘getting an edge’ over rivals as he looks to secure a second consecutive title.
Ferdinand told BT Sport: “Sometimes he (Sir Alex) would do a team talk after a game and be as calm as you like.
“And then he’d go out for an interview and we’d see him on the TV screen and he would be going bananas about a decision no-one had even thought about.
“But that took the spotlight off someone else or something else that could derail us.
Ferdinand reckons Klopp is protecting his players by diverting attention to other issuesCredit: Rex Features
“He controlled the narrative and I think that’s what Klopp is doing very well at the moment.
“Maybe sometimes he’s talking about stuff outside of that (game) which can take away from the performance or the little creaks that happen within the 90 minutes.”
Crouch added: “Sir Alex Ferguson, over the years, always talked about international football and the fixture list (after games).
“Jose Mourinho too. All the best managers do it and they’re trying to get an edge.
“They all want to get one up. I think it helps in the dressing room of ‘everyone is against us because we’re the best’ and ‘nobody is going to give us any help’.
“I think that helps in the dressing room of ‘you versus us’.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says that he has a job and will not take on an international role for Germany
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
