Liverpool based Times correspondent Tony Barrett has made some interesting claims in a webchat today.
The journalist believes that Jurgen Klopp, currently out of work, would be happy to speak to Liverpool regarding an appointment should Brendan Rodgers lose his job, but the club are not considering him a viable alternative.
Why they wouldn’t be, as Barrett agrees, reeks of arrogance considering the German’s CV.
Barrett went on to suggest Rodgers made a mistake in his aggressive comments after the weekend’s Aston Villa victory, and that Mike Gordon and not John W. Henry is actually the board member with most influence now.
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Here’s what Barrett had to say:
If Liverpool do decide to make a change, then they should talk to Klopp at the very least. John Henry was an admirer when he took over. The suggestions are that Liverpool wouldn’t pursue Klopp if Rodgers does go. I can’t work it out as it smacks of arrogance. Klopp is willing to talk to Liverpool, a club which has finished outside of top 4 in 5 of last 6 seasons. It’s not as if Liverpool will have their pick of elite managers.
If Liverpool aren’t playing well & results are poor, then heightened scrutiny is absolutely inevitable. The manager, whoever he may be, has to accept that because it goes hand in hand with being manager of one the world’s biggest and most newsworthy clubs. It’s also one of the reasons why they get paid millions of pounds for doing the job.
John Henry is not the pivotal figure that he once was. Mike Gordon’s influence is now strongest. He has a hands on role at Liverpool. There’s nothing to suggest that there’s any kind of split at Liverpool on Rodgers.
I have no problem with managers saying what they think. I do think Rodgers would have been better waiting for a winning run before going on the offensive. He’s feeling the pressure,& I got the impression he was trying to create siege mentality. When you do that, though, you have to win your next big game or else your critics will just up the ante. It was a big gamble/mad risk considering Liverpool’s next big game is the derby.
Liverpool as a club are not creating the conditions for success. They don’t sign elite players & they allow ones they have to leave. They prioritise potential over experience & then wonder why they have no leaders. At some point the penny will drop. There will be a realisation at Liverpool that the whole club is struggling to be the best it can be and its not just down to the manager.
I agree that Rodgers has to take the criticism as it goes with the territory, the salary & profile. It wasn’t so long ago that he was hailed as a tactical genius, so now critics have gone other way, Rodgers has to accept it.