The similarities between Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp
The sights and sounds that surround a person are one of the key contributors to the decision-making process. Nature plays a huge role when it comes to clear thinking, be it the sanctity of the silence that is pierced by crickets or the cacophony of the chirping birds that surrounds one when wakes up at dawn. In the context of sports and especially football, sometimes emotions overrule practical solutions.
The implications of the age old adage “Haste makes Waste” often make more sense in football rather than any sport. Because it spawns an environment, which is reactive in nature and thus fuels long drawn discussions between contemporaries of differing viewpoints.
End of Season
Ever since the defeat to Manchester United, Liverpool’s form has been nothing short of alarming. As pointed out by prominent pundits, columnists and experts, Liverpool have been woeful.
Although, the term eye-catching is used for spectacular events, the way Liverpool’s season has unfolded can also be termed eye-catching albeit in a negative way.
For a person, who has been following Liverpool FC for more than a decade, we, the club fans are again greeted at another crossroad, but before we jump to any conclusion, the question is – are we really at a crossroads or are we letting our fear get the better of ourselves.
In recent weeks, it has been speculated that Jurgen Klopp is one of the front runners to replace Brendan Rodgers.
Although earlier in the week, there was a certain repose of faith shown by Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) towards Rodgers, the author would again like reiterate his support towards the work done by Rodgers.
There are three main areas of argument that will facilitate this Klopp v Rodgers debate, and the author will proceed mindful of the fact, that those factors alone cannot be the strict parameters of judgement.
Philosophy
One common factor that unites both these young managers is their philosophy – High Pressing, Pass and Move and Counter Attacking Football. Emphasis by both coaches on the technical part of the game rather than the physicality is another common factor.
To give the paying public a sense of fulfilment and entertainment so that they can walk out of the stadium with a smile on their faces has always been the objective of these coaches.
Unfortunately, on the basis of these principles, Rodgers has a very poor conversion rate when it comes to winning trophies. On the other hand, Klopp managed to deliver a Bundesliga as well as German Cups and came up short against arch-rivals Bayern in the Champions League final to end as runners up.
This debate in itself can run into unending words as to how Klopp was given time whereas the patience of LFC supporters is supposedly fickle in nature.
I have declared myself a Rodgers supporter, but before we delve further I want to add that – “time is of the essence”. On the basis of this time, only was Klopp able to build a team.
Rodgers, on the other hand, has been involved in a project which looks more like a “work in progress”.
Being aware of the rapidly changing situation in football, often clubs forget to put down roots, LFC as an institution has always believed in roots, and to show solidarity with Rodgers in times like this is one way of showing what the club stands for.
The frequent changes to the system are not an excuse that managers can use for the period of a season, but when those changes involve the loss of key players which gave the team a different dimension shows that those changes cannot be ignored. It is in lieu of those necessary changes that Rodgers should be given some leeway.
Injuries and Transfers
Both managers have had horrendous luck with injuries this season. Injuries to key personnel and the lack of alternative options forced both managers to develop a system which the team took some time getting used to.
In addition, the constant movement of key personnel and star players to greener pastures has also been a major hindrance to progress as a team. If LFC lost Luis Suarez, so did Dortmund in the form of Robert Lewandowski, the repercussions though were felt by both teams.
Atleast, LFC recouped quite a hefty amount, whereas Lewandowski left on a free.
Given the way some of the transfer signings have performed; Rodgers signings can be rightly questioned. Except Lallana partially and Emre Can, some of them haven’t reached their potential. Earlier signings haven’t responded spectacularly as well in the form of Fabio Borini and Iago Aspas.
Jurgen Klopp has done better, using loan signings as well as recognizing the team’s requirements. Klopp has done magnificently to fill gaps created by Goetze and Lewandowski to get personnel in who have retained the shape of the team. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, a target for both clubs last to last summer can be cited as one of the successes.
Injuries though have been the main villain, as can be seen by the alarming form of Dortmund in the first half of the Bundesliga and similarly, for Liverpool, when they lost Lucas and the continued absence of Sturridge. But purely on the basis of transfer signings I would tilt the scale of balance towards Klopp.