Michail Antonio has purported said that Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp shouldn’t be sacked regardless of where they end up in the Premier League this season.
The German has been resolute despite coming under pressure after a dismal season at Anfield so far with appalling results. Understandably with the Reds sitting tenth and still alarmingly devoid of signs of improvement, questions are emerging over his leadership and tenure.
Understandably also, the majority of Liverpool fans are still giving the gaffer their backing. Speaking on the Footballers Football Podcast, Antonio insisted that Klopp’s position should only be under threat if Liverpool were ever to be relegated.
“He could finish 16th and still have the job, in my eyes,” said the West Ham forward. “For what he’s achieved for Liverpool over the last six years nobody should even be thinking about sacking the man.
“He should be able to stay in the Premier League at any point and have a job next year to rebuild and go again.
“That’s my opinion because Liverpool were not even close to it, the closest they got was under Brendan Rodgers, and before that they didn’t have any consistency like they have had under Klopp. Nobody should be asking for his head in my opinion.”
Relegation out of the picture, Klopp should never have any cause to be concerned about getting the boot at Liverpool. After all, even if the Reds were to ever descend into the Championships, why would they want anyone else in?
Of course there is a point where the situation becomes untenable. But should that ever happen, cooler heads should prevail as Klopp deserves every opportunity to on through a disastrous season should he still have the energy to carry on.
Admittedly sentiment has no place in football to some. When the winning stops and the parade is over, any position in the club is open to scrutiny. Yet while here is some merit to that, as in the case of Chelsea over the years, surely Klopp as the savior of Anfield would be an exception even to the naysayers.
The 55-year-old Liverpool demi-god’s status as one of the world’s top coaches is obviously not in doubt. However, it is expedient that he begins to put things right again pronto.
Another season like this and it may be a trifle difficult to back him.