LIVERPOOL v MAN UTD TANTRUM JOBS FOR OLD FLOPS
Beware 3 amigos
With Klopp, however, I suspect he’d come out smiling even after a 5-0 defeat and try to convince Liverpool fans everything is all right.
“Oh, you know, it’s one of those things, no need to worry, everybody, Jurgen’s here, let’s keep smiling together.”
And the Kop fans, who Klopp has eating out of his palm, would almost, to a man, be fully behind him. As I said, though I don’t expect Liverpool to lose even by the odd goal. Instead, it will be a comfortable win.
Because they seem more up for it at the moment, they move the ball round more quickly than United and they ask more questions of their opponents. That tempo will be key and, if United can’t withstand it, then I can see Liverpool going two up in double quick time.
Anfield has its new stand, there’s the added support, it’s a season of change, a feeling of moving forward and there’s some exceptional, exciting talent to get in behind United and torment them.
Who will play in the defensive midfield area for United?
Will they go physical with Marouane Fellaini and Paul Pogba, will it be Michael Carrick or Ander Herrera?
I don’t think Mourinho has that part of his team right yet either.
And I can’t wait to see if he gets his post-match reaction right on this one, too. WHAT English football needs is for young managerial talent to be given a chance – and not for the likes of Steve McClaren to keep getting jobs.
I’ve nothing against Steve as a bloke, I like him a lot.
But watching him on TV while he was out of work, I thought he’d become a parody of a parody of a football manager.
All clichés and riddles, McClaren, now 55, looked like yesterday’s man.
He came across as someone still trading on those couple of seasons as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant 15 years ago – plus that first spell he had at FC Twente in Holland... now getting on for seven years ago.
Managers should be given three or four opportunities in the game and after that they should only become directors of football or mentors, so the bright young things can get their chance.
Football, though, rewards failure like no other industry I know.
IF Barcelona are at full strength on Wednesday then I expect them to beat Manchester City.
City conceded five goals against Celtic and Spurs before the international break and, with the greatest of respect, the Barca front three have a tad more quality than Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair.