Jurgen Klopp and FSG have made critical mistakes
Souce : Liverpool website
But perhaps the biggest problem is Klopp’s reluctance to apply pressure to the owners. Where the likes of Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel have startled their backers into making huge investment through threats to leave or warnings about competitiveness, Klopp has largely served as a spokesperson for FSG.
He insisted in the summer that he was happy with his midfield options, and then was forced to admit that they were under-equipped in the dying stages of the transfer window. That led to an unedifying late scramble and the signing of Arthur, which right now looks like a failure.
Klopp has also been accused of being overly picky, insisting on the perfect player rather than settling for his second or third choice to protect the team’s short-term ambitions.
Given their love for the manager, though, most have directed their anger at FSG, pointing out that they’ve only bankrolled seven major signings in the seven transfer windows since Liverpool won the Champions League.
Even more damning is the Premier League net-spend table over the past five years, with Liverpool down in ninth, below Wolves, Aston Villa, Newcastle and West Ham.
Some believe FSG have squandered the dynastic potential of Klopp’s side by failing to refresh the squad and stave off the risk of physical and mental burnout.
There has also been an element of misfortune, of course, in the form of injury. Díaz and Diogo Jota are both sidelined with significant issues, robbing Liverpool of established quality on their left-hand side, as well as much-needed rotation options.
In defence, Ibrahima Konaté and Joël Matip, Van Dijk’s partners in the Champions League and Premier League respectively last season, have had lengthy spells out.
Thiago, one of the club’s most important players, is another who has missed plenty of games, while problems for Naby Keïta, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones and Arthur have almost wiped out Liverpool’s midfield depth.
You might say that FSG could have made better contingency plans, and that would be fair, but luck has conspired against them too.
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