Mersey pride!
Klopp v Koeman – who’ll be hot in the city?
J URGEN KLOPP’S Anfield revolution is destined to end with that illusive league title, predicts Reds legend Phil Thompson.
The German has restored belief in Liverpool after their dismal showing in Brendan Rodgers’ last season at the club and former captain and assistant boss Thommo, 63, reckons the best days are still to come.
While he does not feel the title will necessarily return to Anfield this year, he does believe their 27-year famine will end under Klopp’s stewardship.
Thompson won SEVEN titles during a 13-year stint with his hometown club and was part of the f amous Boot Room when Kenny Dalglish guided Liverpool to their last league championship in 1990.
But even though he reckons the depth of competition is greater than ever in the Premier
League, he is not worried.
Instead, he pointed to Klopp’s success at Borussia Dortmund – where the German manager broke Bayern Munich’s stranglehold on the Bundesliga title in 2011 and 2012 – as evidence he has the temperament as well as the talent to pip Antonio Conte’s Chelsea to the crown either this term or next. Sky Sports pundit Thompson ( l eft) said: “This guy is great and let no one doubt that.
“I have heard some people around Liverpool compare him to Bill Shankly because of his passion and his ability to connect with the fans.
“While I can see some similarities, the fact is there will never be another Shankly.
“But, at the same time, there
will never be another Jurgen Klopp. They are their own men. I loved Shankly and have been so impressed by Jurgen.
“I love managers with passion – Antonio Conte, Jurgen – guys who are animated on the touchline and who are driving their team on.
“I had that passion myself when I was in the dugout alongside Gerard Houllier.
“But there is a lot more to Jurgen that just that. He has his way of playing – a unique style that takes time to implement.
“Remember this is only his second full season with Liverpool. He is changing the team he inherited to apply his own style.
“And already it’s working.
“While they lack a 20-goal a season striker – a Harry Kane or a Diego Costa – you have to trust this guy’s ability to go out and find one who can get the goals that will land you the title.
“Remember at Dortmund he finished fifth in his first two seasons and then landed back-to-back titles. It didn’t happen overnight.
“He signed well – getting Robert Lewandowski for £4million. He knows the market and knows what he wants.
“All he needs is time – and Liverpool will give him that because they recognise they have someone special.”
The trouble is, though, that Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea also have special managers, while old-timer Arsene Wenger has managed to guide Arsenal to three FA Cup triumphs in the last four years. Thompson said: “There’s no doubt that it’s tougher now than ever.
“When I was working with Gerard Houllier, there was a big three – us, Arsenal and Manchester United. Then Roman Abramovich started spending money so it became a big four.
“Then came Manchester City and then, more recently, Tottenham. Yes, they have fabulous managers – but so do we.
“City are my tip for this season because I like the way Pep has set them up and think they have bought sensibly.
“But before Jurgen leaves Anfield, I’ve no doubt he will have won the big one.
“It could happen t his year but my hunch is that it will take a little bit more time.
“When it does happen, he’ll be an Anfield legend just like Kenny, Shanks, Joe Fagan and Bob Paisley.”
Phil Thompson was speaking on behalf of Sky Sports who will broadcast 126 live top-flight games this season starting with
Arsenal v Leicester City this Friday