As mastermind Jurgen Klopp’s tenure in the Premier League comes to an end, the void he leaves will be felt deeply, surpassing even that of Pep Guardiola’s likely departure. It’s clear that Guardiola’s eventual exit will cause significant distress for Manchester City, much like Klopp’s departure from English football.
Klopp, always ready with a smile, voiced his concerns about four back-to-back 12.30pm kick-offs, referring to them as a “crime”. He joked about expecting Amnesty International to intervene against the Premier League, subtly attributing Liverpool’s fall in the championship to the challenging match timetable.
But the players of Liverpool are keenly aware of the reasons behind the slump in their performance, which go beyond the fixture list. The timing of games against Atalanta and the Merseyside derby was perhaps unfortunate, but their difficult period had been foreseen.
FAI’s football director, Marc Canham, has a tough set of problems on his hands and has not yet managed to instil confidence in solving them. Much alike most professionals, football players often fall into predictable patterns.
The announcement of Klopp’s stepping down in January did not initially cause a significant stir in Liverpool. However, as anticipated, the powerful unity within the team began to fade. The departures shook the team, leaving a significant mental gap.
Soon after, Liverpool initiated proactive recruitment measures. The appointment of Richard Hughes as sporting director and impending confirmation of Arne Slot as Klopp’s successor exemplifies the urgency required in professional sports.
Initially, Klopp’s retirement appeared to inspire a tribute campaign reminiscent of their previous victories: the 2019 Champions League, the 2020 Premier League and their impressive 97 point season as finalists to City. But the reality was different.
The pinnacle moment came when the young academy players clinched the League Cup. That was the tribute to Klopp’s contributions as the Anfield club’s great manager. But the joy peaked at the Wembley victory, after which the surge of triumph started to recede.
When future generations reflect on Liverpool’s history, the names Shankly, Paisley, Dalglish and Klopp will be remembered with reverence. However, despite the initial euphoria following Klopp’s departure, the bubble of invincibility burst four months ago.
It’s safe to assume that the day Klopp declared his departure, the primary focus of approximately 90% of the Liverpool team switched. He ceased being their principal worry. His tenure with the team was ticking away. Constant changes are standard in football players’ lives, causing indifference to be a totally typical response.
Being conditioned as a sportsman from the age of 14, you learn to depend on a single route to the top. To survive in the game, selfishness is essential. Only your physical condition and your mentality matter.
Everyone from club proprietors to youth trainers sees you as a valuable asset. Of course, many of them are good-hearted, maintaining your daily welfare, but the industry is unforgiving. A slide in performance or a debilitating injury could result in swift ejection from their circle.
With Klopp gone, questions arise like, ‘Who is Slot?’ and ‘What role does Hughes play in my contract negotiations?’ ‘Does Liverpool still need me?’ If the answer is no, what’s the plan going forward?
It’s unrealistic for someone like Mo Salah to be overly concerned about Klopp’s departure. In due course, this manager and striker, from one of the most exciting teams the sports world has ever seen, will reunite far from any football pitches. They’ll greet one another warmly and more than likely reminisce about their shared love for the game.
In my experiences, I had not gone through an advanced notice of six months prior to a manager departing. Yet, during my tenure at West Brom, I witnessed four of my coaches get sacked within two and a half years. It strengthens your character. It’s every man for himself here. All Liverpool players have their sights set on how Slot visualises them. The most straightforward plan of action is to secure a position on the team, retain it, and forfeit any social life for the betterment of preparation.
This week Klopp was referencing his players’ fatigue. But it’s not an unusual circumstance, as evidenced by Rodri at City, who consistently voices his frustration with insufficient rest days and frequent matches. Pep shares his concerns, even if he consistently selects the same diligent players, which is crucial for City’s successive victories.
As for the odds of last season’s treble repeating, perhaps they might not stand a chance for the double. Maybe we’ll see a trip up against Fulham next week, or Spurs three days later. But history has shown, Guardiola usually saves an underhand trick for those moments.
Spain could potentially pay a high price at the Euros in Germany due to the strain of a gruelling campaign, given that Rodri is now their key player. Belgium has experienced first-hand the toll the club game can take, as evidenced by Kevin De Bruyne’s unsteady entry into yet another significant tournament.
The modern footballer is a precision-tuned athlete, more so than during my tenure in the Premier League. I still remember returning from international duty utterly exhausted, especially when Ireland had an away match just days before a Saturday early kick-off at Goodison Park. Rarely did my performance remain impressive; my legs felt like lead.
However, there’s no shame in that, Jürgen, absolutely none.