On Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher made their annual Premier League predictions for the new season and on the basis of history, Neville believes Liverpool will struggle after Jurgen Klopp left the club.
Arne Slot won his first game at the helm on Saturday with Liverpool dispatching Ipswich Town 2-0. After struggling to find their groove in the first half, the Reds came out after the interval and delivered an incisive attacking performance.
Despite the encouraging display in Slot’s first game, the jury is still out for those not affiliated with Liverpool in any way.
Speaking on MNF, Neville says that he does not expect Slot to hit the ground running and predicts the Dutchman and his players to feel “some pain this season.”
“My view would be that the impacts of Klopp will take its toll just going off evidence of history,” the former Man United defender said.
“That’s it. Evidence of history of a manager like that leaving at some point, I think there’ll be some pain this season for Liverpool, and it could cost them.”
Neville did admit that Liverpool have the better attackers but argues that United’s midfield is stronger.
“Liverpool have got far better forwards, that is the thing that they do have,” said Neville.
“If I look at Manchester United’s midfield players, if you add I think equal coaches, and we don’t know what Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot are going to match up like.
“I do think Liverpool, with Endo, Szoboszlai and MacAllister that they’ve done unbelievably well to get the performance levels out of those three that they have, Jurgen Klopp.”
Losing Jurgen Klopp is devastating but Liverpool are chronically underestimated
There is no denying that losing Jurgen Klopp will hurt Liverpool in a fundamental way this season. There’s so much that is lost when a manager like him leaves a club.
But it would not be wise to underestimate Liverpool even if they have yet to make any additions to a squad that tailed off at the end of last season.
Despite the arguments for why the Merseysiders should stumble and falter this season, there is still a bucket-load of talented players that Slot can work with.
It won’t be a linear path to success by any means but given that Liverpool tend to be chronically underestimated – especially in pre-season predictions – it will be fascinating to see how the season pans out.
Until then, we just have to wait and see what Arne Slot can cook up for Liverpool fans this season.
