premier league
Klopp “hot” for the new season – euphoria in Liverpool back
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp sees his team in good shape ahead of the start of the Premier League. photo
© Kieran Cleeves/Press Association/dpa
Before the start of the football season, the mood at Jürgen Klopp and his Liverpool FC is optimistic. The squad isn’t complete yet, but the newcomers so far are creating a spirit of optimism.
Speculations about a premature departure from the coach, who often looked exhausted and irritable before the summer break, proved to be premature. Klopp recently described rumors about an alleged engagement as national coach as a “great honor”, but made it clear that he would not let his Reds down.
Even without participating in the Champions League, Klopp is aggressive. “Sometimes you need a setback to realize, ‘Ah, there’s the problem,'” said the 56-year-old. “And I would really say that last year we got a decent setback. I certainly got one, that’s why I’m hot. The players get it too and I really like their response.”
Klopp under contract at Liverpool until 2026
During the botched last season, in which Liverpool only finished fifth in the table, Klopp often seemed thin-skinned. He reacted angrily to reporters’ questions and received two suspensions for his misconduct towards referees. This is one of the reasons why it has occasionally been speculated that it could have been Klopp’s last season at Anfield. The coach, who still has a contract until 2026, has always denied this and is now visibly bursting with zest for action. From the environment it was said that everyone was behind him.
After the last friendly, a 3-1 win over Bundesliga side SV Darmstadt, the coach said he was satisfied. “Of course there’s still room to maneuver,” he admitted. But he knows what his team needs to work on. After all, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz scored three attackers who will be important in the coming season. Jota in particular was in impressive form during the preparation.
The construction site is the midfield. After the departure of experienced players like captain Jordan Henderson or Fabinho, Liverpool sporting director Jörg Schmadtke is looking for further reinforcements. After newcomers like Dominik Szoboszlai, who came from RB Leipzig, and Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion, at least one player is said to be signed. According to media reports, three Reds offers for top candidate Romeo Lavia from relegated Southampton have so far been rejected.
Also around the league opener at Chelsea on Sunday something could still happen in terms of transfers. The rejuvenation in midfield is already causing new euphoria in the club’s environment. “Liverpool has an engine again, even if some parts are still missing,” wrote The Independent newspaper. Instead of a change in midfield, Klopp got a revolution. “We looked really fresh, really good,” said the coach with satisfaction after the Darmstadt game.
Manchester City title favorites again
British media and commentators expect Liverpool, who have only played in the Europa League this season, to play for at least one Champions League place in the Premier League. In view of the strong competition, nothing more can be expected from the younger team for the time being.
Defending champions and treble winners Manchester City are again favorites. Arsenal FC, surprise team and second-placed in the table last season, have made expensive upgrades, including German international Kai Havertz and England star Declan Rice. The victory in the Community Shield against Man City last weekend showed that the Gunners can also be counted on this season.
Manchester United and Newcastle United want to attack at the top again – just like Chelsea, who have a lot to make up for after a disastrous season with three managerial changes and twelfth place. With the new coach Mauricio Pochettino and a significantly slimmer squad, the Blues want to at least get back into European business. The top newcomer and former Leipzig player Christopher Nkunku should help, but he is threatened with a longer injury break.
“We have four, five really important training sessions before the Chelsea game but then we have to make sure we give them a real fight,” said Klopp. “We still have a few football things to sort out, definitely. But that’s normal. Pre-season never ends after the first Premier League game. It lasts until the first international break.” By the beginning of September at the latest, Jürgen Klopp and his Reds should be on course so that the new euphoria in Anfield was not just a short-lived high.