LET’S BUILD A DYNASTY
Klopp wants long stay to bring Reds another glory era
CHAMPION-ELECT Jurgen Klopp is planning a new Liverpool dynasty — but admits matching Sir Alex Ferguson’s record at Manchester United is virtually impossible.
Liverpool will add their first Premier League title for 30 years to last season’s Champions League if they beat Everton tonight and Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Klopp intends to stick around and bring further glory to Anfield but says competition from
other clubs and post-Covid uncertainty means it’s unrealistic to consider Fergie’s 13 championships between 1993 and 2013.
‘I don’t think it is possible any more to be honest,’ said Klopp. ‘Other clubs didn’t have United’s combination of an exceptional manager and squad at that time but now a lot of clubs are similar.
‘ Man City make five changes against Arsenal and Leroy Sane is still on the bench. United will strike back, Chelsea is already there. I don’t think it is possible to dominate the same.’
Though Liverpool are keen to strengthen, Klopp believes the summer transfer window will be slow due to the global pandemic.
‘Chelsea are on the front foot but nobody else has done anything because the times are uncertain,’ he said. ‘If you live in a good flat, I don’t think this is a good time to buy the house. See how the situation develops.’
Even though they will have to celebrate in front of an empty stadium, Liverpool have enjoyed a record-breaking season, winning 27 of their 29 League games.
Klopp, 53, says his relationship with Liverpool’s owners has played a part beside the performances of his players. The German signed a four- year contract extension in December and seems intent on honouring it despite being the most sought-after manager in the world.
‘I needed time in the beginning but Mike Gordon (president of club owners FSG) was patient because he saw progress. Of course, they are not too critical with me at the moment. Our relationship is great.
‘I am sure Fergie didn’t say at the beginning he’d win it 13 times. He did what he did and made good decisions. We’ll make good decisions as well and see where it leads us.’
As for today, Klopp insists: ‘This is still our derby, even if it’s different. We have to be intense because it’s Everton. They are a good team, have an excellent manager in Carlo Ancelotti and we need to be ready.’