Jamie Carragher has noted a critical difference between spells of bad form at Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund under Jurgen Klopp’s tutelage.
The Reds have started his seventh season in poor fashion, picking up nine points from six games and losing their opening Champions League match 4-1 to Napoli.
Thus comparisons have been made to Klopp’s final season at Dortmund, in which his side found themselves bottom of the Bundesliga at Christmas before finishing seventh. At Mainz, he also suffered relegation in his seventh season in charge.
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But Carragher, writing in his Daily Telegraph column, says the situation isn't quite the same.
“Klopp is approaching the seventh anniversary of his appointment as Liverpool manager so there is an easy comparison with the final months at Dortmund. There is also a critical difference.
“While in Germany there was a mutual sense it was time for a new adventure, there is no such feeling in Liverpool."
"Klopp will be Liverpool’s manager for the next four years. That is why he signed his new deal last season."
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“For all his success, there is no elite manager who has been so accomplished at picking himself off the floor after the lowest moments and there is no coach more qualified to reverse Liverpool’s poor form.
“A rebuild may be upon Klopp sooner than anticipated. Nothing in his demeanour suggests he lacks the appetite for the challenge.”
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“While Klopp is in charge Liverpool will never be like Chelsea, or other clubs who see no prospect of a coach reversing a slide.
“Liverpool’s owners oversaw an unsuccessful period before Klopp. There are still some Liverpool players who joined the club before Klopp. They too owe their success to him.”
There is no doubt that Klopp will be able to turn it around at Liverpool due to the track record he possesses, and will be hoping to kickstart a run of form against Ajax.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Liverpool, Jamie Carragher, Jurgen Klopp, Borussia Dortmund