Gary Neville reckons there is not much difference between Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola. The former Manchester United defender believes Klopp can turn around the situation with the Reds.
Liverpool are going through a sticky patch, with many calling for the head of the manager Jurgen Klopp. It is perhaps the worst season for the Reds, who have become a mid-table side this term. Klopp has had to oversee a side struggling for confidence as they have staggered from one disappointing result to another.
With six losses from 18 games in the Premier League this season and ninth on the log, the future looks bleak for Liverpool. It is the worst position to be in, with a tricky Champions League tie against defending champions Real Madrid next month. Despite the situation with the Merseyside club, there is belief in certain quarters that they can pull themselves out of the mire.
Many have blamed the plethora of injuries in the squad this season as the reason they are struggling. They believe that despite the negativity around the club, Klopp is still the man to marshal the club forward. Gary Neville reckons that Klopp is as good, perhaps better than Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
Gary Neville goes to bat for Klopp
Jurgen Klopp has been at Liverpool for over seven years, and his record seems beautiful. In his spell at Anfield, he has won Premier League (2019–20), FA Cup (2021–22), EFL Cup/Football League Cup (2021–22), UEFA Champions League (2018–19), UEFA Super Cup (2019) and the FIFA Club World Cup (2019). One of every trophy he has competed for, yet he looks to have underachieved.
Many have compared him with the Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, with many believing he is not at the level of the Spanish tactician. However, Gary Neville disagrees with that school of thought. The football pundit told Sky Sports that Klopp is as good if not better than Guardiola. Despite questions over his ability to lead the Reds to a resurgence, Neville is behind the former Borussia Dortmund manager.
Neville said Klopp has put in an unbelievable managerial performance at Liverpool that is better than what Guardiola achieved at Manchester City in the last seven years. Describing him as a massive character who would not buck under pressure, he pointed at the only Premier League title Liverpool has won to buttress his point.
Injuries and lack of financing the bane of Klopp
The 3-0 loss at Brighton at the weekend still hurts, as it leaves Liverpool ninth on the Premier League log, and Klopp has labelled it as perhaps the worst performance since he took over in 2015. The Reds are a massive ten points away from the top four and face an uphill task to overhaul it. Klopp has time, as the season is just halfway gone.
Injuries have hurt the side this term, with several vital players sidelined for lengthy periods. Despite the injuries, Liverpool’s midfield needs overhauling, and the defence requires improvement. Neville blames the lack of financing as the problem Klopp faces. The pundit said Liverpool is not on the same level as Chelsea or Man City in this regard.
Neville said Chelsea has spent £300 million and posited that if Klopp could get that kind of financing, things would be different for Liverpool. Neville believes Klopp is equipped with the intellect to turn things around for Liverpool.
