BAD TIMING: GERMAN MEDIA CRITICISE JURGEN KLOPP AMID ARNE SLOT PRESSURE
As Arne Slot faces pressure at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp is being discussed as a potential replacement. German media urges the club to ask the legendary manager back.
The pressure is on for Arne Slot at Liverpool, leading to talks about his job security.
After a good start, Liverpool has struggled, losing nine of their last 12 games, including a 4-1 defeat to PSV in the Champions League. They're currently 13th in Europe, 12th in the Premier League, and out of the Carabao Cup. This slump is their worst in over 70 years. Slot says he'll keep fighting, but a few more bad results could mean he's out.
The media has listed possible replacements, with Jurgen Klopp as a top pick. He left the club after nine years, but now a return to Liverpool is being mentioned.
Klopp didn't rule out a Liverpool return.
In his goodbye video back in January 2024, Klopp said he wouldn't want to manage again right after Liverpool.
But, he recently said on The Diary of a CEO podcast that a return to Liverpool is theoretically possible.
I’ve said that I’ll never coach any other team in England. So if I do, it’ll be Liverpool.”
Because of these comments, he's now a potential replacement for Slot if Liverpool decides to make a change.
German media thinks Liverpool should at least ask Jurgen Klopp.
It's not just the English media and Liverpool fans talking about Klopp coming back. Swiss journalist Marcel Reif also brought it up on his show for German media outlet BILD.
Reif thinks Klopp's departure still hurts at Liverpool and that fans would love to have him back if they could.
About Klopp's comments on The Diary of a CEO, Reif said, This statement comes at the wrong time for Slot. He's [Klopp] hovering like a UFO over Anfield. All of Liverpool would carry him back on their shoulders. And it would be negligent if they didn't try Klopp.”
However, getting Klopp back might be hard. He left because he was running out of energy.
“I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again,” he said. Klopp is now the Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull.
Reif said Liverpool's situation is like Dortmund's after Klopp left in 2015. He said that if Liverpool can't get him back, they need to move on.
In Dortmund, they chased after ‘Saint Jurgen’ for what felt like 20 years after he left. Everyone was supposed to become Klopp 2.0. At some point in Dortmund, they realised: That time is over!
NO MO SALAH, NO PROBLEM: SLOT EXPLAINS BENCH DECISION AFTER 2-0 VICTORY
Arne Slot successfully benched Mo Salah for tactical rotation in a 2-0 win over West Ham. Slot defended the move, as Florian Wirtz had his best game yet.
Liverpool's star player, Mo Salah, who had faced criticism during a tough stretch where they lost nine out of 12 games, didn't play at all in their important 2-0 win against West Ham. He joined Giorgi Mamardashvili, Curtis Jones, and Hugo Ekitike on the bench. Florian Wirtz and Alisson Becker were back after being out with injuries and illness, respectively, along with Alexander Isak and Joe Gomez.
It was a risky move by Slot, who's been under pressure, but it worked out. Wirtz, the £116 million signing, had what Jamie Carragher called his best game in English football so far. Isak also scored his first league goal since his £125m transfer from Newcastle last summer.
Before the West Ham game, Slot said Salah's absence was simply to rotate the team because of the busy schedule. He said the same thing after the game, also explaining the tactics behind his choice.
“I get this question a lot,” he said. “It's the same every time we play a game, and Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, or Mo Salah don’t play.
“It’s normal to get these questions because they’re all great players. Mo has had an amazing career here and will continue to be great because he’s special.
“With four games in 10 days and only 14 or 15 outfield players available, you have to decide on a lineup and pick the best one for each game.
“Against West Ham, with their setup of a very high full-back and a winger cutting inside, I thought this lineup would help the team. Mo has been important for this club and will continue to be.”
Wirtz played against West Ham after missing the losses to Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven due to an injury. However, Liverpool was still missing right-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, as well as Giovani Leoni.
Kerkez should be fine, even though he was replaced by Andy Robertson late in the game.
“It was just a cramp,” Slot said about Kerkez. “Bowen's only chance came when Kerkez was out, but it wasn't because of the replacement.
“That was their only chance, and it was because of that. He had a good defensive game.
“He was also a threat to attack a few times in the first half, and one of his crosses could have led to a goal if we were in better form.
“It shows that some players need time to get used to the League and playing three games a week.
“So, it's not surprising that Milos had a cramp. He’s not completely used to this schedule, and he always gives it his all.”
END OF DROUGHT: ALEXANDER ISAK BREAKS 381-MINUTE GOAL WAIT FOR STRUGGLING LIVERPOOL
After a three-game losing streak, Liverpool's expensive signings stepped up. Florian Wirtz played his best game, and Alexander Isak scored his crucial first Premier League goal for the club.
Alexander Isak wasn't at his sharpest against West Ham, and Florian Wirtz is still chasing his first Premier League assist.
Liverpool played the Hammers in London, wanting to snap a three-game losing streak. Before Sunday, they had lost nine of their last 12 games, with new signings Isak and Wirtz struggling to find their place at Anfield.
Wirtz, who came from Bayer Leverkusen for £116 million ($153.7 million), hadn't gotten an assist or goal in the Premier League before Sunday. Isak only had one goal for Liverpool after his £125 million ($165.6 million) move from Newcastle.
Both players had another shot to make an impact against West Ham after Arne Slot changed his starting lineup, and Wirtz grabbed his chance in the first half. He was probably the best player on the field, setting up chances for Isak.
Around 15 minutes into the game, Wirtz made a great play. He dribbled down the left and crossed the ball into the six-yard box, but Isak couldn't connect with it. "That's a great ball," said ex-West Ham goalie Rob Green on Sky Sports.
A fit striker would attack the near post. Wirtz sees the space and aims to get the ball there.
West Ham's goalie, Alphonse Areola, also stopped Isak from close range in the first half. Isak is considered a top striker in Europe after scoring 54 Premier League goals in three years at Newcastle.
But Isak needs to get his form back if Liverpool wants to turn their season around. Before Sunday's game, Liverpool was in the bottom half of the Premier League, even after winning the league easily last season.
If Wirtz keeps playing like this, he'll start getting assists and goals in the Premier League soon. He also had a good scoring chance in the first half, but couldn't beat Areola.
"I'm watching Wirtz—he's in good spots and looks lively for Liverpool," said former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports, Wirtz has been the best player out there.
This is his best 45 minutes in a Liverpool shirt.
I thought he'd be on the right at first, but he's in his preferred spot, tucked in on the left.
He should have done better with his chance, but he has been better than everyone else.