Ragnar Klavan has been at the receiving end of a lot of criticism for his lacklustre performances throughout the season so far. However, if a report from Liverpool Echo is to be believed, Jurgen Klopp wants to retain his services beyond this summer.
Klavan was under a lot of fire for his disappointing displays at the back and he failed to establish a partnership with Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren. After Virgil van Dijk’s arrival at Anfield, Klavan’s game time has taken a significant hit.
He has appeared 28 times across competitions for Liverpool this season and has managed to make a mere average of 0.6 tackles and 0.8 tackles per game so far. He averages 4 clearances per game but besides that, his numbers look quite disappointing.
With the 32-year-old entering the final year of his contract this summer, his future looked helplessly uncertain. However, Klopp seems to think otherwise.
When asked about whether or not the manager wanted to retain his services beyond the end of next summer, Klopp said:
“Yes of course. Fantastic player, really good footballer, he has all what you need. Of course I would but there are two sides to it.
“Life is not that easy. We treat the boys with all the respect that they deserve, but at the end the only thing a player really wants is to be in the line up.”
He went on to talk about how illnesses and injuries can often take a huge toll on the lives of top-class footballers and used Alberto Moreno as an example.
Despite enjoying an exceptional season, the player picked up an injury and has looked rusty despite recovering. He has failed to go back to his previous form and Klopp suggested that it was a similar case with Klavan.
“It’s the same for Ragnar. He was in fantastic shape then he got seriously ill. Since he has come back he has looked like a different person. I don’t know what virus it was exactly but it didn’t help. You need time to come back,” said Klopp.
It is good to see our gaffer maintain his trust in Klavan but it remains to be seen how his contract situation plays out in the future.
