Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer has torn into Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool ahead of their clash against Manchester United.
The former Newcastle United striker and Premier League legend has ripped into the German, saying that he hasn’t improved the Reds side.
“Two cup finals, both of which they lost, and a return to the Champions League can be put on Klopp’s CV,” the Daily Star reported that he said. “But really they have not improved since the day he took over.”
Klopp has been in charge for two years now after taking over from Brendan Rodgers and his win rate is actually less than Rodgers’ was when he was fired.
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Liverpool face United at the weekend in the 12:30 kick off in what is being billed as a must-win game for the Anfield side.
And if they lose, Shearer reckons that their title bid will be over. “Defeat to their bitterest rivals on Saturday, however, will be a lot more damaging than merely the effect it will have on personal statistics,” the newspaper reported that he continued.
“It will leave them ten points behind Jose Mourinho’s men and effectively end Liverpool’s title challenge before the clocks have changed.”
After keeping hold of Philippe Coutinho and bringing in several players over the summer, Klopp will be expected a title challenge and another year of Champions League football at the end of the season.
However, the former Borussia Dortmund gaffer failed to address some key weaknesses in midfield and defence and as a result the team continuously ships soft goals.
The lack of a ruthless finisher is also hurting the Reds as they lack the cutting edge of finish teams off despite having the majority of possession as well as shots on target.
Klopp is not under any pressure yet, although a few more bad results will add to the murmurs of discontent from the stands. Two years isn’t enough time to implement a legacy and there is still a lot of work to be done if the German is to be successful.
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But according to Shearer, he hasn’t been so far. There is only one way to shut these ex-players up and that’s by winning. A good way would be to start with Manchester United on Saturday.