HE has had a rough time of it this season but it amazes me how some people have questioned whether Jurgen Klopp is a great manager.
You don’t win the title and Champions League if you’re not pretty special. And he’s done that and plenty more besides at Liverpool.
But all it took was a few dodgy results over the first couple of months of the season and he had everyone on his case.
Absolutely ridiculous.
Maybe that incredible second half when they won 7-1 at Rangers on Wednesday will shut a few of them up.
But, football being what it is these days, I suspect not.
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There’s no doubt Liverpool have been off it this season and, whatever they did at Ibrox, I do think the league is beyond them already.
The Champions League win was a step in the right direction but it is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel and no more.
What Klopp has had to do — and the signs are that he is managing it — is go beyond the usual job description.
He’s had to be a psychologist, a father figure, and almost a counsellor to lift his players.
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Whoever the player, whatever the reputation, confidence plays such a big part. So he had to get into Mo Salah’s head, to tell Virgil van Dijk: “You’re the best centre-half in the world.”
He’s had to put the self- belief and confidence back in his players, talk to them every day, convince them how good they are — and how a couple of wins can change everything.
When you put seven goals past anyone, as they did in Scotland, that’s a real shot in the arm whoever it’s against.
But don’t think for one minute he doesn’t still have a heck of a job to do.
Liverpool are way off the pace and the task of hosting Manchester City today is a world away from at Ibrox in midweek.
Something has been missing this season and I think the real fight for them is finishing in the top four, not winning the title.
I must admit, though, it was crazy to hear some even suggesting his job might be in danger. That was absolute crackers.
When you’re winning games everyone calls you a genius but it only takes a few defeats and you’re written off as being rubbish. Opinions change in the blink of an eye.
I always remember something the great Graham Taylor said: Your manager is never as good as you think he is — and never as bad either.
Klopp has so much credit in the bank with everyone from the owners to the fans that he was never going to be at risk.
They love him at Liverpool and although they’ve had a bad time, you’ll never hear anyone chanting, “You don’t know what you’re doing,” to him.
But that’s when being a manager is such a lonely job.
You’re there to pick up the players and need good staff to do the same for you.
I’ve been in positions when the team is struggling and it’s horrible.
You’re paranoid, doubting yourself, questioning decisions.
You pull up at the lights and wonder what the guy in the car alongside is thinking when he looks over. You go out for dinner and are convinced people are whispering about you.
It can all get a bit scary, to be honest, and it’s no surprise when managers get a bit prickly. Especially when you’re being asked if you are fearful for your job.
So no wonder we’ve not seen much of that big grin, because there’s no getting away from the fact Liverpool have been pretty shocking at times.
And for all they’ve taken a step in the right direction, I can’t see them having any joy today against Manchester City.
They have been the best two teams in Europe for a couple of years but this time Liverpool aren’t even the second best team in England.
So Klopp still has it all to do to turn it around… but he will.
Every great manager needs great players, and he’s got them. They’ve just been out of form but it will return, believe me.
In fact, I’m going to say now that while I think City will beat them today and Liverpool won’t finish in the top two, I do fancy them to win a trophy.
It could be the League Cup, possibly the FA Cup. Who knows, they may even be European champions again.
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I’ve written them off in the league but would never do so in a one-off game when Klopp has them firing again.
And the signs are that won’t be long. Just ask Rangers.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
