Exclusive: Peter Crouch disagrees with former Liverpool teammate over Jurgen Klopp as 'impossible' claim made

Peter Crouch has disagreed with former teammate Dietmar Hamann over Jurgen Klopp's future at Liverpool, in an exclusive interview with SPORTbible.

The Reds have endured a tumultuous season plagued by poor form and injury. Klopp's side will finish the campaign without any major silverware having been dealt a humbling 6-2 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League.

Moreover, domestically the club sit seven points outside the Champions League spots after 26 of their 38 games, while they have long been eliminated from both cup competitions.

With certain members of the squad appearing past their peak, and several expiring contracts on the horizon, a major rebuild is needed in the summer.

Indeed, some quarters have claimed Klopp has taken the Reds as far as he can. Speaking to Sky Germany, former Liverpool midfielder Hamann claimed the 55-year-old should step down at the end of the season.

Klopp said: "I think it would be best for both sides if they make a cut in the summer. The team has been falling apart in the last few months. For a coach who’s been around that long, I think it's almost impossible to pull off."

Hamann's former Liverpool teammate Crouch has begged to differ, however.

Crouch backs Klopp to turn it around at Liverpool

Crouch insists that Klopp remains the perfect manager to turn Liverpool's fortunes and backed the club to be much improved next term.

Speaking to SPORTbible, Crouch said: "Klopp's a top manager and I think he's got as long as he wants at that club.

"Anyone who doesn't want him at the club is probably from outside the city because anyone inside the city that I speak to absolutely loves him.

"And he's got the job for as long as he wants. if anyone can turn it around he can.

"It's not as, as bad as everyone makes out. Of course, they haven't hit the standards that they have hit in previous years, but I think that's physically impossible with the same team.

"So yeah, we all know it needs to refresh. There are certain players lacking some confidence. But there are big players coming back and I think finishing the top four will be the biggest achievement for them now.

"And then readdress it in the summer. I think they'll look to strengthen things. And you'd, you'd expect them to come back a lot better next year."

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Topics: Football, Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool, Peter Crouch, Premier League, Spotlight

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.