Dylan Gerstley cuts to the core and says what Klopp needs to do to succeed at Liverpool.
The most celebrated Reds manager in years has been granted a 6 year contract by the Liverpool hierarchy, Fenway Sports Group.
Fans fell in love with big, goofy, German Jürgen Klopp in his first press conference – possibly even before. He was positive, brimming with confidence, understanding of Liverpool’s position in history, and ruthless in his view of the players. His character was in stark contrast to the falsely positive Brendan Rodgers who never filled Liverpool supporters with much hope.
Klopp’s first season, albeit short, was successful on many fronts. The German guided the club to the League Cup final and the Europa League final, restoring belief and hope in fans and players alike. Though the newly appointed manager failed to deliver a Champions League berth through league table standing, fans were content with the way the club were progressing.
Transfers seemed in order almost immediately as Klopp picked up Jöel Matip, Marko Grujic, Loris Karius, and Sadio Mané before the club’s first preseason training session. Fans were ecstatic at the quality of the signings as well as the quantity. Rarely did Liverpool wrap up deals early for gifted players for a reasonable fee, bar Mané.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
Klopp has done little wrong and Liverpool fans are nearly unanimous in their love and support of his decisions. FSG’s decision to award Klopp and his staff with 6 year contract’s was met with typical Klopp-era optimism and excitement, and who can blame Liverpool supporters? For the first time in years, the club have a concise vision.
The only problem is that 6 years in football is a very long time.
If Liverpool supporters have shown themselves to be anything, it is fickle. Another season with an eighth place finish will see supporters hanging Klopp in the town center, but a season of optimism and progress with maybe silverware will make the German adored the world over.
This fickleness is dangerous, as owners reacting to the voice of the supporters may prove to be ill advised. The results driven media could twist any manager to be off his rocker but it is up to the owners to see through the smog of short sighted reactions and into the future of benefit for the club.
Klopp is aware what this danger presents. He knows he may be closing his own casket, as failing to achieve results will be a recipe for disaster. FSG will look silly for their contract offer and may try to save face by giving the German the sack.
This clear and present danger is now what Klopp must overcome. The manager must deliver in his time at Anfield, sooner rather than later, if he is stay on Merseyside and be remembered in the same vein as Liverpool’s manager pantheon.