Jurgen Klopp could walk away from Liverpool this season if their campaign goes as smoothly as last season, believes Mail Sport’s Ian Ladyman.
Speaking in the brand new podcast It all startshe stated that the German could fall on his sword for the good of the club if he deemed it necessary.
Last season was a struggle for the Reds, who missed out on the Champions League and big cracks started to appear.
Midfield became a problem, with Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, who have since left for Saudi Arabia, suffering a serious loss of form.
Those shortcomings in midfield have been on display for all to see and although they have been reinforced by Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, there is still no recognized number 6.
Ian Ladyman (left) and Chris Sutton (right) discussed whether Jurgen Klopp could leave Liverpool this season if the season starts to slip like last season
Klopp is under a lot of pressure to change course at Anfield this season
It also looks like the Reds need to beef up their defence, but with so many issues to sort out, they start Sunday’s season opener against Chelsea with many unknowns.
As Liverpool struggle again and reflect some of last season’s poor form, Mail Sport’s Ladyman says, speaking in Mail Sport’s debut episode It all starts podcast, says Klopp could walk away.
“I think this time is a huge season for Liverpool,” he said. “They struggled last semester, as we know, and I think if they struggle again this time, maybe we are witnessing the beginning or even the beginning of the end, or the end of the Jurgen Klopp era.
“I’m not sure he’ll stick around if Liverpool don’t do well for the first six or seven months of the season.”
Chris Sutton replied: ‘I’m not so sure the owners… I mean, they’d have to make a big decision if they don’t recover, I agree with you there. I think their problem… all the good forwards they have, lost midfielders, decent recruitment in Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, but the key is the defense.
Virgil van Dijk, if he gets his form back, they’ll have a really good season. But last season he was wrong and he hasn’t been since he came back from injury. If he doesn’t recover, they’ll have another leaky defense.”
Ladyman then asked: ‘What do you think Klopp would do? I felt last season that Klopp got to the point where he started spinning inside and struggled a bit with it.
“They did recover, kind of recovered,” Sutton recalled.
“I totally get it and I think the fans have always stuck with him because of his track record. He’s had such a good time, so consistently for a dip last season. Now it’s about recruiting and whether they can bounce back. But I completely agree, if they fall away, he will have to make a decision himself, but also the fans can change their feelings for him. You’ve done a great job for years, but now maybe it’s time for a new voice.”
Ladyman replied: ‘I don’t think that will happen, I don’t think the fans will turn against Klopp, except for the idiots calling with the kind of calls you’re working on! I think the rational fans will never want him to leave.
Mail Sport’s It’s All Kicking Off podcast has launched with a Premier League preview
Liverpool have attacking power and are drawn into midfield but are a concern defensively
Ladyman believes Klopp is the type of character who could fall on his sword
“The second season in a row going badly is going to be a bit of a problem,” added Sutton, the former Blackburn and Celtic striker.
Before Ladyman agreed, “It absolutely does. And I think Klopp is the type of man who, if he felt it was slipping away, would take the decision out of the hands of the club. Of course I don’t know, I don’t have a crystal ball! But I see that it is feasible for it to happen.’
Liverpool finished well last season to finish in fifth place, but were almost unrecognizable for much of the season.
They have the Europa League to contend with and their rivals have gone from strength to strength so it will be fascinating to see if Klopp can turn ship.
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, with a preview show on Thursdays and every week this season.
It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music And Spotify