Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been asked to reshuffle his squad after being dismantled at home by Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Real Madrid.
Jurgen Klopp faces the very real prospect of his historic Liverpool side reaching the end of their cycle.
The Reds’ humiliating 5-2 loss to Real Madrid underscored their need to rebuild. Less than a year ago, Klopp’s charges were on course for an unprecedented quadruple victory, winning both domestic cups, reaching the Champions League final and leading the Premier League title race until on the last day.
However, the blow to Anfield has now been reported as ‘the end of an era’ and the Kop boss has been told to reinvent his team. Both Jamie Carragher and Thierry Henry have suggested that the current group of underperforming players are no longer capable of playing ‘Jurgen Klopp football’ at the level at which they were able to. Carragher insisted that Liverpool not only need to invest in midfielders, but also in a back-four which has become positively porous in recent months. But the need for investment in the team comes against a backdrop of uncertainty at the board level.
The club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, said last year they were looking for new investment, with many interpreting this to mean the club is for sale. John W Henry has now clarified the situation, insisting that a full takeover is not on the cards and instead they are looking for outside investors to fund the Premier League giants’ operations.
The FSG have been criticized by some for their lack of financial punching power compared to their rivals at the top of European football. Over the past five years, Liverpool’s net spending has been £254m, compared to Chelsea and Manchester United’s spending of £654m and £540m respectively.
Klopp has often defended FSG’s approach to spending, but recently admitted they need to put their hands in their pockets to ensure they can keep pace with their rivals.
“I believe in coaching, I believe in development, I believe in team building and using these things 100%, but meanwhile the managers in the world are really good. There are so many good managers it’s crazy,” Klopp said. said last month. “So they believe it too, and if they’re going to spend really well and do those things, then you can’t not spend or you’re going to have a little problem.”
Klopp’s work now eerily resembles that which he was presented with upon his arrival on Merseyside. In 2015, the German inherited a team that had reached its peak and was now spiraling downhill. Instead of the eighth place they currently sit in, the Reds were actually tenth and the need for new players was as evident then as it is now. And Klopp revealed that the FSG sent him a message in those early days, apologizing for the team status he was initially given.
The American ownership proved that an apology was not an empty gesture by supporting Klopp in building a team that eventually took world soccer by storm. But that patience, understanding and support are now needed again as they embark on a new cycle under the charismatic head coach.
“Something has to change. I don’t think Klopp should leave, but some players are no longer at the level to play for Liverpool. I think it’s the end of an era and that’s how it is this season,” Henry told CBS Sports.
Kop legend Carragher added: “My point is that they are trying to play Jurgen Klopp football without players who can play Jurgen Klopp football. And that could be some players who were brought in, but also some players who just finished.
“I would never criticize these players for doing their job for the last four or five years. As Thierry said, this team is finished. Jurgen Klopp has built a team and what we’ve seen over the next four out of five years has been amazing. He needs to be allowed to do it again.