TalkSPORT pundit suggests Jurgen Klopp is completely wrong about the Anfield atmosphere

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp certainly knows how to whip the media into a frenzy.

In his own head, his comments on the Anfield crowd after last night’s thumping win over West Ham United were probably innocuous enough.

“I have to say, it’s long ago that I said it, I thought it in the first half a little bit when the boys played really exceptional, I was not overly happy, I have to say it now, with the atmosphere behind me,” Klopp said [liverpoolfc.com].

“We need Anfield on their toes from the first second [against Arsenal on Saturday] – without me having an argument with the opposition coach, whatever. We need you from the first second. If you really want, if it’s too much football in December, I don’t know, sorry, we have to play it as well. But if you are not in the right shape, give your ticket to somebody else.” But the comments appear to have been picked up by just about every outlet in the country.

Some will agree with Klopp – Gary Neville certainly did after the Manchester United game on Sunday, for example. Others, like former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders, absolutely will not. Speaking on TalkSPORT today, the Welshman was absolutely stunned by the Reds’ manager’s plea to the fans.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever heard that from a Liverpool manager,” said an exasperated Saunders. “Giving the crowd a team talk? Give your ticket to someone else?! That stadium, that’s the best stadium I’ve ever played in. It’s full every week nearly, the crowd are behind the team every week. That’s the first time I’ve heard a manager saying that.”

Saunders backs Anfield impact

In fairness to Saunders, he should know what he’s talking about to some degree. He did make 61 appearances for Liverpool after all, with plenty of them coming at Anfield.

As well as playing for the Reds, the former Wales international also turned out for 11 other teams across four different countries. He had plenty of home stadiums during his career.

One of his former sides – Galatasaray – could perhaps claim to have one of the noisiest stadiums in the whole of Europe.

And yet, Saunders still places Anfield above any of them.

But you also have to say that it was more than 30 years since the 59-year-old was a Liverpool player. The game has changed pretty much beyond recognition since then. And so too has what is now called the ‘fan experience’ of going to matches.

Klopp has far more experience of Anfield than Saunders anyway. But he also has experience of it in its current iteration. So, from that point of view, we have to agree with Jurgen.

Of course, there are always reasons for a dip in atmosphere and not every game is going to create the same excitement. But there are times when you feel that the famous old stadium isn’t quite living up to its reputation.

With a huge game against Arsenal on Saturday, that shouldn’t be the case. But if they needed a reminder, Klopp has just given it to them. Saunders may not like it, but maybe this was necessary.