Jurgen Klopp: Five key tasks for the new Liverpool man

Luke Moore
08 October 2015

Jurgen Klopp has plenty to do as the new Liverpool manager

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Liverpool have got their man in the shape of German Jurgen Klopp. Luke Moore looks at what he needs to do to become a success at Anfield...

"There is absolutely no reason that, with a shot in the arm from a charismatic new manager, they can't fight their way back into contention for a Champions League berth."

1) Work out Liverpool's best team

Ex-manager Brendan Rodgers used several different formations this season alone at the helm of Liverpool, in a desperate bid to not only find a winning combination but a way to get the best out of the group of players he had at his disposal, which were a fairly odd mix given the club's disjointed transfer policy. Klopp needs to be ruthless and use his stellar reputation to find a formation or two that suits the task ahead of him, whether that be a Premier League game or a Europa League game, and stick to it.

Players like consistency and to know their jobs. Rodgers' pseudobabbling and constant tinkering smacked of a bluffer trying to be too clever at times, and unsettled the squad. The charismatic German should be decisive.

If players that don't fit, they need to be moved on. But more on that later.

2) Get the fans onside

Liverpool is a city that prides itself on its heritage, history and family values. Once you're in at Liverpool, they tend to look after you, and so Klopp really needs to make an effort to ingratiate himself at the club among the fans and the city at large. Of course, this doesn't mean he has to adopt a Scouse accent or pretend to be something he isn't, but making an effort to show that you understand the history of the club and how much it means to the people is a good start.

Another way to get the fans onside is to win a trophy, something Rodgers was unable to do. But that's obviously easier said than done.

3) Prepare for January and identify players he needs

In Germany, managers/coaches don't tend to be as involved in the signing of players, and so Klopp needs to clearly and concisely identify what he needs and communicate that to Liverpool's now infamous transfer committee in an attempt to strengthen in the areas he feels are below par. The players signed under Rodgers' tenure were more miss than hit, and it's vital that this is addressed is the Redmen are to compete with the big teams in the Premier League.

Of course, in January it can be harder to convince players to sign for a new club, so it may be a case of working with what he's got until the summer.

4) Get back into the Champions League spots this season

This may seem fanciful given the competitive nature of the top flight in England and the inconsistent start that Liverpool have had, but they currently sit just three points off fourth place and there is absolutely no reason that, with a shot in the arm from a charismatic new manager, they can't fight their way back into contention for a Champions League berth.

His first game as coach will be Spurs away which looks tricky, but after that there are two eminently winnable games in the league at home. By the end of October, the Anfield side could be right back in the mix. Liverpool fans believe their level is consistent Champions League football, and to a large extent they are absolutely right. A top four finish (currently priced at 3.3512/5 on our Exchange) would be a lovely start for all concerned.

5) Sort the rearguard out

He may not have the defensive personnel at Liverpool that he had for a time at Dortmund, but Klopp is well-versed in a defensively solid operation when manager. In 11/12, Dortmund conceded just 22 league goals in a 34 game season, and the following year was only slightly inferior - just 25 conceded.

A lot has been made of Klopp's philosophy, and if he can get the Reds at it and working hard from front to back in his trademark counter-pressing style, that will work as a defensive tactic as well as an attacking one and the goals conceded column could make for much more interesting reading than under Rodgers.

It is absolutely possible that defenders that played under Klopp before would want to play for him again, especially at such an historic institution as Liverpool, but that can't happen until January at the earliest, so he must settle on a formation and get the defensive players working and defending as a unit.

Our Sportsbook have unveiled a series of Jurgen Klopp specials