Why Jurgen Klopp must stay on as Liverpool Manager
In recent weeks there have been some Liverpool fans calling for #kloppout. Seems harsh after only a small number of games into the season. This group of LFC fans are demanding the current manager be replaced as they deem the current sample of results not good enough.
Man Under pressure
Comparisons with Brendan Rodgers
The man Klopp replaced came the closest to winning the Premier League with Liverpool. When results aren't going well critics compare results with Rodgers. Perhaps due to a sense that Rodgers was replaced unfairly at LFC for Klopp and that the man that came 2nd in the Premier League should have had longer to go one better.
No Gerrard and Suarez
With an ageing but still impressive Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez starring in a title challenge. Gerrard and Suarez are probably 2 out of the top 3 players to ever put on a Liverpool shirt. The other contender being Kenny Dalglish and a long list of legends like Ian Rush, Kevin Keegan and John Barnes not too far behind. The impressive Suarez top scored in a title run that convinced Barcelona to add him besides Messi and Neymar. Whilst Coutinho is a world class talent and Henderson a honest and hard-working captain none in the current squad can be compared with Gerrard and Suarez.
Language barriers
For Jurgen Klopp he often states in press conferences that English is not his native language. For a man renowned for his oratory prowess in motivating his players this was obviously going to take some time to improve. Unlike Rodgers, Klopp had to improve his English skills. When asked after one year in charge of Liverpool Klopp stated his English had improved. Whilst the likes of Conte also a non native speaker won the title with Chelsea the resources at Chelsea and Liverpool are not comparable.
Criticism of the defense
Perhaps the strongest argument of the #kloppout brigade is that he has done nothing to address the defense that plagued Rodgers and ultimately the title. He has brought in Matip who has proven the most reliable defender in the heart of the defense. What still needs addressing is the individual mistakes that cost his team dear in matches like against Tottenham (4-1 loss). The question is can you coach out individual errors? Or are they a inevitable part of football? No one can or dares to blame club legend Steven Gerrard for the costly slip against Chelsea in the title charge. Even though the Chelsea fans kept reminding as such long after the fact.
Can individual mistakes be coached out?
Liverpool fans on both sides of the Klopp divide and the rest of the football world know that the defense is a weakness in the side. Therein lies the folly of #kloppout, it's not Klopp that needs changing it's the defense and individual errors that's the problem.
What is the way forward?
Perhaps some of the backline goalkeeper and defenders included need a change of scenery. Klopp has done everything he can to instill confidence in the much maligned Mignolet, Lovren and Moreno. It seems he's been able to turn Moreno's form around after his mistakes cost Liverpool the UEFA Cup against Sevilla. Just look at Iago Aspas, remember him? He was the 4th highest scorer in La Liga only behind Messi, Suarez and Ronaldo. Impressive players to be behind but that also means he scored MORE than Neymar, Greizman and Chelsea new boy Morata. Victor Moses also shone brightly as a wing back helping Chelsea win the league.
Aspas on fire in La Liga last season
Lovren and Mignolet are still good footballers, it's what convinced Liverpool to buy them in the first place but some signings just don't work out. A change of scenery sooner rather than later seems to be the best way forward for all parties.
Don't forget Klopp built the attack
It's often stated that now we have a good enough attack to win the league why isn't Klopp sorting out the defense? The frustration is understandable - Let's not forget who forged this new attack, Klopp signed Mane and Salah. Forming a trident of Firmino, Salah, Mane backed up by Coutinho. The man Klopp fought so hard to keep over the summer. You can't not give credit to the man for forging a good attack and only blame him for the defense. We also have the best Bundesliga player in Naby Keita to add to the squad.
He will be worth the wait
The reason Klopp is at Liverpool in the first place
This is a man that could have signed for any club in world football after the job he did at Dortmund. The fact that he came to Liverpool is because he sees potential and wants to give the underdog a chance. It would have been so much easier for him to go to Manchester City or a Chelsea. Liverpool are lucky to have him. The reason he wants to give the likes of Mignolet and Lovren chance after chance is the same reason why he is at Liverpool Football Club. He wants to make the club better by making the players better and believing in themselves. It's time for the fans to believe in Klopp and give him the time he deserves.
