Why Liverpool Won’t Sack Jurgen Klopp

The Reds’ season hit a new low on Saturday at Brighton, but the manager still has the support of the team and the supporters.

The Liverpool manager has had a perplexing season, and the latest horror show for his team—a 3-0 loss at Brighton that was as abject and lopsided as the score indicates—left him scratching his head at the news conference following the game.

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“I’m not sure if it’s because it’s only a few minutes since the game, but I honestly can’t remember a worse game,” he said. “And I mean in all [my career], not only at Liverpool.”

Few people who were at the Amex Stadium on Saturday would disagree, though defeats at Watford in 2015 and 2020, the 7-2 thrashing at Aston Villa a few years ago, or any of the six consecutive losses at Anfield during the “pandemic season” could come close.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Klopp made a point of complimenting Liverpool’s fans after the win. He is aware of his current need for them.

When his team, led by Harvey Elliott and Andy Robertson, made their way to apologize to them at the final whistle, the away end was unusual for being only partially full.

Some players, like Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita, chose not to bother and walked straight through the tunnel. As Alisson Becker’s name was being sung, Robertson hid his face in dejection.

To be fair, the Brazilian was held above the criticism leveled at the rest of his teammates on the South Coast.

Klopp, meanwhile, offered an apology to those who had made the 10-hour round trip from Merseyside, clasping his hands together and bowing his head.

“They were exceptional, to be honest,” he said afterwards. “They realised it wasn’t our day, and they showed they are real supporters.”

For residents of Liverpool, it has been a matter of feast or famine. The excitement of the previous season, when they followed their side to the edge of history, is now a distant memory.

In the Premier League, Klopp’s team is ninth, behind Fulham, Brighton, and Brentford, and much nearer the bottom of the standings than the top.

They are out of the Carabao Cup, with eight points from nine league away games, and need to win a difficult rematch at Wolves on Tuesday night to keep their FA Cup ambitions alive.

Given recent results, few fans will be arriving at Molineux with high expectations.

The pressure is growing as Klopp struggles to explain why his team has fallen down so drastically from last season and as the need for new additions, particularly in midfield, becomes more evident with each passing match.

The manager’s position might come under question at certain clubs, like Chelsea, but there is little danger of that happening at Liverpool because Klopp continues to have the club’s owners’ unwavering support.

And rightfully so, given his outstanding accomplishments on Merseyside.

His supporters are still wholly behind him.

On Saturday, there were a few instances of protest. In the first half, Henderson, who is having a terrible time this year, received criticism for not moving the ball forward quickly enough, and in the second half, there were angry cries when Liverpool let Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez stand with the ball at his feet for at least 30 seconds without being challenged.

The fact that much of the genuine criticism is being directed at Fenway Sports Group (FSG) because of their alleged incompetence or refusal to spend a lot of money on high-caliber reinforcements, however, is revealing.

The Americans, of course, could counter that is somewhat unjust given their recent commitments to Gakpo for up to £44 million ($53 million), Darwin Nunez for what may end in being a club record cost, and Salah becoming the highest-paid player in club history in July.

They secured Klopp with a new four-year contract last spring and have since taken moves to put together a new, younger team for him, including Diogo Jota, Ibrahima Konate, Luis Diaz, Nunez, and Gakpo, all of whom were signed for substantial sums of money after the 2020 Premier League championship.

It is difficult to envision Liverpool fighting for the main honors, as they have over the past four or five seasons, and as they did so thrillingly on four fronts last season, until they address the squad’s primary weakness – its midfield – by making top-tier additions.

Since Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip are both in their 30s and Joe Gomez’s form has declined since his return from a serious knee injury, they need at least two central midfielders and likely three. They also may have a problem at center-back in the future.

That’s four significant, important signings. Even for a manager with Klopp’s talent, it would be a terrible challenge.

Although there have been obvious indications this season that his frustration is rising, he claims he is still as driven and determined as ever, and we should take him at his word.

Press conference comments regarding money concerns and FSG’s “method” are well-noticed, and sarcastic references to “the medical department” also suggest internal problems.

The troubles of crucial players like Henderson, Van Dijk, Fabinho, and even Salah must worry the manager and his staff more than the club’s injury list, which now includes Van Dijk, Jota, Diaz, Nunez, Roberto Firmino, and Arthur Melo.

The team’s lack of pressing, energy and physicality, meanwhile, is as clear as the Liver Bird upon the players’ chests.

“Come on, the team we lined up today was really not a bad one,” Klopp said at Brighton, but just as at Brentford and in the cup game against Wolves, Liverpool’s players were either unable or unwilling to do what he asked of them.

There won’t be a quick remedy, it has become clear. Even another January signing would not drastically alter the situation over night, and there is currently no indication that Liverpool is considering making another such acquisition in favor of “long term goals” for the summer.

Considering that the team is still up for sale and that Julian Ward, the sports director, will be leaving at the end of the current campaign, it is unclear how that will turn out.

In the midst of this, Klopp and his team must discover the solutions on the practice field, in the analysis room, and in the locker room.

Finding a means to allow the elite talent that is still present in this Liverpool squad to emerge must be the manager’s primary objective. Character, bravery, and the involvement of major players are required.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday night at Wolves, be prepared for a loud away end. Even while they may not be loving what they are viewing right now, Klopp is aware that he can still rely on their steadfast support.

And if the Reds are to climb out of the hole they are in, it will be essential. Anfield needs to come together now more than ever.