Jurgen Klopp has told his critics in no uncertain terms to direct their displeasure and fury at him and not his backroom staff for Liverpool’s recent torrid run of form.
Currently fermenting away in 10th place in the Premier League, the Reds have yet to win a league game during 2023 thus far, and are 22 points behind league leaders Arsenal, 12 points behind Newcastle in the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot, and six behind Brighton in sixth. Obviously this doesn’t at all bode well for the Reds.
Slammed comprehensively at Brighton and Brentford, as well as an exit to the former in the FA Cup, Klopp and his men’s misery have been amply compounded wth the pressure expected to intensify ahead of a potentially season-defining derby clash with Everton on Monday evening.
Speaking to the media ahead of the game, Klopp addressed the criticism that has been directed towards the club in recent weeks and stated there’s only one person that should be targeted – him.
“I just don’t like it if you go for the wrong people. Go for me. That is fine. But don’t go for others,” the German said.
“They are here because they are best in class in what they are doing. That’s all. If you praise them in the good times, then criticize them in the bad times. But if you don’t praise them in the good times, then don’t do it in the lesser good times. Have the balls and go for me, then the confrontation can happen, of course.”