Former Liverpool defender and now a pundit, Steve Nicol has said that Jurgen Klopp might get sacked within 18 months.
Liverpool have had a dreadful start to their new Premier League campaign, as they were clutched to a 3-3 draw at hands of Watford on their opening day fixture. This was followed by a narrow 1-0 win over Crystal Palace and then a 4-0 demolition of Arsenal at Anfield. Since then, Liverpool have really found it hard to get their goal scoring mojo back.
In an away trip to the Etihad, we shipped in 5 goals and lost Sadio Mane to a red card in the process. With an important link between the goal now gone, a 1-1 draw against Burnley followed before being eliminated from the League Cup by Leicester. In our last four Premier League games, we’ve gathered just 5 points out of a possible 12. This has eventually left us sitting 7th on the Premier League log; seven behind leaders Manchester United and Manchester City.
And now, former Liverpool full-back Steve Nicol – who won four league titles with the Reds – has said that Liverpool won’t be sacking Klopp right away, however, should the performance like this continue in the next season as well, the German might face a sack.
“No (he shouldn’t get sacked at the end of the season),” Nicol said on ESPN FC. “But I would suggest that the following season, if it’s the same thing, then yes (he should get sacked). Yes (I’d give him 18 months).”
Liverpool’s major issue has been its defence. The likes of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and now Philippe Coutinho are doing their jobs, while the other end of the field is yet to get into the groove. Klopp has time and again addressed his defensive collapse, but failed to get any renowned defender.
Even though the brand of football that Liverpool are displaying has massively improved, results are nowhere near perfect. If we compare Klopp’s first 108 games in charge of Liverpool to Brendon Rodgers’, it is the latter who has delivered better. Nicol admitted that Liverpool are no different under Klopp.
“How many times have I said this?” Nicol added. “Going forward yes (they have improved). No question. Defensively no.”
It looks like Klopp is facing massive pressure because of his decision to not sign a central defender in the summer. Let’s hope that we paper the cracks until January and go sign a quality centre-half when the transfer window opens in few months.
