Why Liverpool Must Learn From Chelsea Mistakes In Post-Klopp Era 

The Blues have been in transition for many years, but following Thomas Tuchel’s departure, they saw a significant downturn. Liverpool needs to learn from their mistakes.

Liverpool is accustomed to living in the modern equivalent of the wilderness. In fact, when he was named manager in October 2015, Jurgen Klopp found them there. He then skillfully led them out of the woods and back to the top levels of the game.

READ ALSO: Revealed: Klopp’s Shock Exit Left Liverpool Staff In Tears

The German is getting ready to go on his own terms nearly nine years after making an announcement that stunned the football community. The Reds are now at a critical crossroads as they try to avoid going back to the beginning.

Wednesday’s opponents Chelsea are the embodiment of what a club should not do when it finds itself facing such a period of upheaval, with the Blues still mired in transition under Mauricio Pochettino having gone from Champions League winners to mid-table in the space of two years since revered head coach Thomas Tuchel was relieved of his duties.

With the two giants of the English game preparing to go head to head amid contrasting fortunes, there are lessons Liverpool can learn from their struggling guests as they begin preparations for the post-Klopp era.

Needless to say, in order to keep this transfer from getting nasty, Liverpool’s decision-makers need to identify the ideal Klopp replacement right away.

Just days after Tuchel’s sacking in September 2021, Chelsea had zoned in on then-Brighton boss Graham Potter, and there is the impression that – regardless of the ensuing underwhelming results – not enough consideration was given to whether he was the best fit culturally to thrive at Stamford Bridge, with the Englishman never truly endearing himself to the fanbase in the way that Tuchel, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte had been able to before him.

Klopp, of course, has been the perfect fit at Anfield, with his former club Borussia Dortmund closely aligned with the culture and values of their English counterparts, even sharing a club anthem in ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. That makes the task of replacing him all the more difficult.

At least there’s time on the board’s side. Mike Gordon, president of Fenway Sports Group, commented on Klopp’s departure: “It is testament to Jurgen’s unstinting professionalism and ongoing commitment to the best interests of Liverpool that his decision was arrived at in a way which allows for business as usual to be maintained for the remainder of his tenure while simultaneously creating an opportunity for us to prepare for the future.

“Our priority now is to continue the due diligence behind the scenes which will allow our football operations department to adapt to a future without Jurgen. As ever, these ambitions will be pursued in the best interests of the club and its supporters.”

Which candidate, though, will make the transfer go more smoothly? Given his legendary position at Anfield and his extraordinary accomplishments with Bayer Leverkusen, it seemed inevitable that Xabi Alonso would emerge as the supporters’ favourite. The Werkself is astonishingly still undefeated this season as February approaches.

But is he really the hip, Potter-like choice? On paper, the chiselled Spaniard would be the perfect alternative, but Klopp’s possession-based, patient style of play would require a major departure from the renowned ferocity and intensity of his “gegenpressing.” However, there is no denying his cultural fit.

Following his difficulties at Aston Villa and later in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq, his former teammate Steven Gerrard has seen his candidature for the position fade.

More left-field choices include Julian Nagelsmann, the manager of Germany who is anticipated to resign in the summer, and Roberto De Zerbi of Brighton. Liverpool should probably focus their efforts most here on finding youthful, enthusiastic, and dynamic coaches who are tactically compatible with Klopp and capable of taking over the reins with ease.