KLOPP’S Liability? Ozil is first pick for team that won the World Cup
LIVERPOOL ARSENAL
Reds boss Klopp cannot believe the flak the Arsenal playmaker receives.
Gerrard – now academy manager at Anfield – labelled World Cup winner Ozil a “liability” after a below-par performance in Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Stoke last week.
“I just worry about his reaction and body language – when the ball is turned over he offers his team-mates zero. Away from home he’s a liability – he just doesn’t do enough,” blasted former England captain Gerrard.
“World-class players do both – when they lose possession they put a shift in for their team-mates. It was clear that didn’t happen.”
Klopp knew all about Ozil even before facing him in England, having managed Borussia Dortmund sides against him when the midfielder was at Schalke and Werder Bremen prior to his moves to Real Madrid and the Gunners.
At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Ozil made most passes with 171, was joint-second in chances created (17) behind Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, and was second overall in possessions won in the final third.
And as Arsene Wenger’s side prepare to hit the road again with today’s trip to Anfield, Klopp launched a passionate defence of his German compatriot.
“I remember the 3-3 draw we played here [in January 2016],” he recalled.
“If Arsenal played that day without Ozil and [Olivier] Giroud, we’d have won 3-0,” said Klopp.
“It was one long ball – Giroud gave it to Mesut and there were five players on him, but we had no chance.
“He is an outstandingly skilled boy.
“If people are not happy with him, I don’t know why.
“There is absolutely no doubt over in Germany about the quality of Mesut Ozil.
“In his position Germany is really blessed with a lot of worldclass or close-to-world-class players but he is a first pick in the German national team, so that should be a sign.
“The manager Joachim Low sticks to the players he is successful with, but not when other players offer more.
“So Ozil’s always a very important player for Germany – don’t forget he won the World Cup with Germany three years ago, so I don’t know why people criticise him.”
Ozil, who spent three years at Real Madrid, has played 84 times for Germany, scoring 21 goals. While Klopp is in no doubt about the danger posed by Ozil, he is also concerned about Arsenal’s unsettled Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez, who wants a reported £400,000 a week to stay at the Emirates, amid interest from title rivals Manchester City.
“I don’t know if Alexis Sanchez wants to leave or wanted to leave this year or they want to keep him or sell him,” said Klopp.
“But I think he will play against us. That is what I think about – not where he will play next year.”
If Ozil and Giroud hadn’t played we’d have beaten Arsenal 3-0