Will Liverpool Suffer A Hangover From The Jurgen Klopp Era Next Season?
Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool sent shockwaves around the Premier League last season.
After eight seasons in charge of the Reds, the German decided now was the time to walk away from his role as manager – winning eight trophies, including the Champions League, as he shocked football bets with that famous night at Anfield against Barcelona before lifting the title in Madrid.
“I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people in this moment when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it,” Klopp said when he announced his departure back in January.
“I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything. But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take.
“After the years we had together and after all the time we spent together and after all the things we went through together, the respect grew for you, the love grew for you and the least I owe you is the truth – and that is the truth.”
For Liverpool, replacing a figure like Klopp was always going to be a tough task. Arne Slot arrives after a successful tenure in charge of Dutch side Feyenoord, where he won the Eredivisie title in the 2022/23 season. Expectations will be high, and there will be obvious questions as to whether Liverpool will be able to manage life without Klopp when the season begins.
There are several issues that Slot will need to address before he can stamp his authority on the side. In terms of signings, it doesn’t appear that many new faces will be arriving at Anfield over the summer, with the Dutchman impressed by the squad that he has inherited. Instead, expect some slight tweaks to the system in order for Slot to control more games.
The likes of Crysencio Summerville – who could be available on a cut-price deal after Leeds United failed to win the Championship play-off final – as well as Martín Zubimendi have been identified as transfer targets, but fans will have to manage expectations when it comes to Liverpool signing high-profile players.
Perhaps the arrival of Thiago, signed by Klopp in 2020 from Bayern Munich, was the last time the Reds hand-picked an elite player who could come directly into the side. The club’s owners, FSG, prefer to develop their own talent.
Liverpool’s players have suffered with busy schedules, and while that could influence their start to the campaign, getting to work under a new manager with new ideas and a new coaching staff could be refreshing for players like Luis Díaz and Darwin Nunez, who stagnated in Klopp’s final weeks.
The opening game of the season presents headaches of its own. Newly promoted Ipswich Town will create a bearpit of an atmosphere at Portman Road when Liverpool come to town, making it the ultimate test of mettle for Slot and his side.
Only time will tell if the 45-year-old is ready for a job that inherits so much pressure and responsibility. Avoiding that hangover from the previous season while managing domestic duties with a return to Champions League football will be challenging.
However, a strong season that represents progress will be exactly what Slot needs to win the fans over. The Anfield faithful are a patient bunch, but results will be needed for that patience to avoid wearing thin.