Jamie Carragher gives his honest verdict after Jurgen Klopp’s comments about Liverpool fans

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Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has issued his response to Jurgen Klopp’s grumblings about the Anfield crowd.

Klopp was critical of the noise created by the Liverpool fans during the mid-week win over West Ham United. The manager’s claims came fresh off the back of Gary Neville making a similar remark following last weekend’s draw with Manchester United.

But writing in his column for The Telegraph today, Carragher said that although he understood Klopp’s comments, he wasn’t sure he completely agreed with the tone they were said in.

“I get where Klopp is coming from in wanting to ensure the noise level matches what Arteta, as much as the Liverpool manager, expects,” writes the Reds legend. “Klopp certainly guaranteed it would happen with his comments after the West Ham game, although I am not sure his tone was right.

“I can’t help feeling that Klopp deliberately timed those remarks because Arsenal are up next. He wanted to get it into their heads what Saturday night will be like – it already being the perfect time for a special atmosphere. Has anyone mentioned mind games, yet?

“That strategy also shows Klopp is more upbeat about Liverpool’s title chances than he has let on during the first half of the season.”

Carragher responds to Klopp calls

This is a good response from Carragher, and shows the slight danger in Klopp calling out the Anfield crowd as he did.

Of course, the Liverpool supporters in attendance are going to want to prove Jurgen wrong on Saturday. That could mean that the stadium is louder than ever, which could make life difficult for Arsenal.

In that respect it’s good management from one of the very best managers around.

But Klopp does have to be ever so slightly careful in doing what he did. People pay good money to sit and watch Liverpool and Anfield. As a result, they can do as they please for the 90 minutes they’re there.

If the club want to create a better atmosphere, then there are several ways of doing that. But given the prices they’ve put on tickets these days – and the difficulty of getting them – they’re not in much of a position to dictate how fans should act.

It is also worth pointing out that the home crowd really do have an effect on Liverpool, whether especially loud or not.

The Reds haven’t lost at home in the Premier League for over a year now, and have lost just once during the past two-and-a-half seasons. With empty stadiums during 2020/21, Liverpool famously lost six on the bounce at Anfield. The fans make a difference any which way.

So, while it’s right that Jurgen wants full support of the team on Saturday, Carragher is right that the tone was slightly off. That shouldn’t lead to too much backlash on this occasion, but Klopp might want to phrase it slightly better next time.