Liverpool’s current situation has become so strained that conversations around our managerial structure have resurfaced at the worst possible moment for us.
The Guardian’s Andy Hunter reported that the clamour in some areas for Jurgen Klopp to return overlooks the hierarchy we now work under, especially with Arne Slot having been appointed specifically as a head coach rather than an all-powerful manager.
Hunter describes our downturn as “unprecedented”, even when compared to the difficult 2014 season, but stresses that the club Klopp left behind is one with restored finances, status and pulling power.
He writes that “Liverpool today have their choice when shopping at the high end of the market”, referencing how far removed we are from the days of selling Luis Suarez and replacing him with Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Lazar Markovic.
Liverpool hierarchy and Klopp return expectations
What matters most in the context of calls for Klopp to come back is how our structure has evolved.
Liverpool’s transfer strategy is now led by Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards, with Slot having input but not overall control.
The piece adds that this is “worth considering as the clamour among Liverpool supporters for Klopp to return gathers pace”, because FSG do not want an all-powerful manager running multiple departments again.
Hunter goes further, stating that Edwards “would in all likelihood have not agreed to return” in March 2024 had that model been reinstated.
Klopp himself was asked if he would ever manage in England again said “if – then it’s Liverpool… theoretically, it’s possible”, giving supporters a line to cling to even if a comeback still feels remote.
Why Liverpool must focus on the present
Our situation in the Premier League table – sitting 12th on 18 points – only amplifies the conversation, especially after the punishing Champions League defeat to PSV meant a run of nine losses in twelve matches across competitions.
Jamie Carragher has already warned that ahead of three games this week “anything fewer than seven points will make an already unacceptable situation untenable”, showcasing the pressure on Slot at the minute.
But Hunter’s Guardian analysis concludes that before any discussions about replacements can even begin, either Edwards or Hughes would need to be removed or fully supportive of such a seismic change, and neither outcome feels likely.
With Klopp far from enthusiastic about a return, though not ruling it out, and the new heirarchy built on a model that opposes the German being at the helm – it feels like a non-starter before it begins.
However, it hasn’t even begun. We are backing Arne Slot to overcome this rut, return the Reds to our former selves and prove to everyone that a title-winning manager should be trusted to turn these results around.
Liverpool must therefore focus on stabilising rather than chasing emotional reunions, because the only way forward from here is for us to start winning matches consistently.
Join our channel of readers on WhatsApp to get the day’s top stories straight to your mobile
It’s Hughes and Edwards who have put us in this situation. Yes Slot will carry the can, but they are are ones who let players like Diaz go and bought hugely expensive signings which have completely unbalanced the squad. I think Jurgen is right to steer clear of these two.
Diaz and his family endured a dreadful event in his private life.
He needed a new start elsewhere because of the further risk from certain individuals back in S.America who were likely attempting to extort or corrupt.
It was deemed best for all for him to get away from such.
Bayern offered him more money, and LFC got a good fee for him.
We’ve invested some of it in good players who will come good.
Sometimes RT, the life that goes on outside a person’s job affects what goes on in it.
Just like in your life and mine.
It’s not always made public.
It’s worth remembering to save going off half-cocked.
He’s not overdoing it. His comment 💯 correct. Hughes is on a power trip.
💯
Know him 💯 personally ?
Perhaps it’s because he has a computer that has all the facts on it 😃?
We should never have sold Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez. I understand that Slot wanted to keep Diaz but was overruled by Richard Hughes. We need a manager not a head coach. Someone who has the final say regarding transfers like Klopp. Hughes made a criminal mistake allowing Diaz to be sold and then sanctioning a 125M purchase of a – so far – dud. Hughes definitely must take the blame for this debacle not Slot. Slot should be able to make the final decision since he is the one who is the professional and knows the players best. Big big shame!!
I agree with you Diaz sold without a proper replacement is dangerous. As for nunez, if we did not sell him, we will not go for isak. I like both players but somehow the club hierarchy wanted to sell them and that’s what it is. The south American contingent we had included Diaz, nunez, Macallister and alisson. Perhaps communication is a factor why we sold them as nunez and Diaz do not really speak English. Alisson and Macallister are fluent in English though. However this season, we brought in van bronkhorst and he is well versed with Spanish and can communicate with our South American players.
Yes Liverpool is a club with no manager, just a head coach with other coaches for different aspects of the game. Transfer matters are handled by edwards, ward and Hughes based on technology and statistics they retrieved and proposed to fsg. Perhaps this model will be used by more and more clubs. Owners are not necessarily football fans. They only care about profit and loss and only statistics make sense to them.
See above re. Diaz situ, Nick.
….and Nuñez, despite his industrious off-the-ball work was there to bag goals.
He didn’t often enough. We needed (and he
needed) the change.
Nobody could criticise Nunez for his work rate off the ball but unfortunately strikers are judged by goals and Nunez just didn’t score enough with the chances he had!
I don’t know what will happen to Slot. He will surely be the fall guy if this run continues but, as mentioned in the article, I doubt Klopp will be returning with the setup as it is. Klopp would want total control…as it should be when you’re the manager!
There was a lot going on behind the scenes with Diaz and the decision was made in his best interests…I don’t think at the time anyone could envisage that his loss would create this mess (I’m not blaming one player) and obviously we’re greatly missing Diogo 💔
Our biggest problem is that we no longer have a ball carrier, someone prepared to drive at defences.
It seems we got that a little bit in today’s game with Wirtz, Brian.
Easier to do if, in general, one’s ball carriers aren’t marked out the game maybe ?
Perhaps a possible Semenyo (or whoever ?) is a near future answer ?
Mo’s getting a pre-AfCon sabbatical may be the right thing to do long term.
One may be barking up the wrong tree if one is even in the ball park of suggesting Diaz’s departure has caused our current malaise though. There is always a symbiosis of course, but the lack of focus in defence at decisive moments has been the root cause I.m.o.
Konate didn’t take any silly chances today, off you noticed. Kerkez sound improved also.
Diogo’s presence is greatly missed absolutely, but that’s been more of a morale issue than on-field tactical reason.
Don’t forget he was only used sparingly, or as an impact sub for a while.
Klopp won’t be coming back to LFC.
Reds’ fans need to forget this now and move on.
He’s got work going on now at a higher level than day-to-day team management, but I’m sure he’ll always dip a toe in, or throw the odd bone to cause a talking point.
We all feel the love, but Arne and the current lads need to as well.