Liverpool board sent Jurgen Klopp warning after an alarming start to Premier League campaign
Paul Merson maintains that Jurgen Klopp is still an elite manager, but feels he is “becoming weary” of the current situation at Anfield.
Merson has also cautioned Fenway Sports Group that they must invest in German during the January transfer window.
Liverpool has had a terrible Premier League season thus far, winning only four games and losing four others.
They are now 15 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, with their dreams of winning the championship all but dashed.
Seven years into his tenure, Klopp has won one league championship, the Champions League, the FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup.
Merson is convinced that Klopp can turn things around, but the former Arsenal player underlined that the Liverpool board must assist.
“Will Klopp be thinking he’s taken Liverpool as far as he can? I’m not sure, but one thing I am certain of is that it will ultimately be his decision. Liverpool have to keep him but whenever the time comes to make a decision, it will be his,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“Klopp is an elite manager, he’s not in the job to finish fourth in the league, for those kind of managers that is not success. Klopp will want change. I don’t think he has been backed that much, yes, they spent £85m on Darwin Nunez but that was one player, they need a few more if they are going to get back to where they were.
“What Klopp has done at Liverpool, winning the league after all those years, is hard work. He has worked his socks off, he kicks every ball on the touchline. Just like players, Klopp will be getting tired, and you get more tired when you are not winning games compared to when you are winning.
“You have got to remember that the majority of this group of players have been ripping it up for the last six years.
“That will eventually take its toll on any player, I don’t care who you are. Liverpool aren’t lazy, they are a hard-working team who work their socks off and, all of sudden, all of that hard work is catching up with them.”
Liverpool has endured consecutive losses to Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, with a difficult trip to Tottenham on Sunday looming. And Merson believes they are in “serious jeopardy” due to their terrible performance.
“To put in a performance like Liverpool did against Manchester City and then follow it up with defeats against Nottingham Forest and Leeds is inexcusable. Only the players can tell you what was different on those occasions,” he added. “After the performance against City we thought, here we go. With Forest and Leeds up next, it was an opportunity for Liverpool to take off. But now, they are in major trouble. Jurgen Klopp must be pulling his hair out.
“Liverpool are losing their fear factor, and this season is already worse than the season they defended the title. It’s completely different now, Liverpool know that. They have that experience under their belts and there is no excuse for their performances this season.
“Liverpool’s prospects have all changed since the start of the season. They are not Premier League title contenders anymore, they have to get into the top four and secure Champions League football, it’s as simple as that.”
Liverpool board sent Jurgen Klopp warning after an alarming start to Premier League campaign
