As a part of UEFA Europa League technical report team, former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has raised doubts as well as showered praise for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side.The Scotsman believes that Klopp’s high-intensity pressing cannot last for an entire season and that the players would soon run out of energy trying to win the ball.
Something that Ferguson felt was the reason behind Liverpool’s defeat in the Europa League final to Sevilla. “Sevilla didn’t enjoy Liverpool’s tackling and determination in the first half,” he said.
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“But they started off after half-time with a more positive attitude and getting the goal right away changed the whole game.In the second half Liverpool had no energy, they could not get to the ball. The space in midfield became bigger. I never had a team who could press a ball all season.”
Ferguson pointed out the problems in Klopp’s high press is the team’s struggle to convert possession gained by the intense pressing into goal-scoring chances. And that there is always the threat of counterattack by the opposition. Given Liverpool’s delicate backline this is a noteworthy point made by Sir Alex.
But the former United Boss also had plenty of praise for the Jurgen Klopp’s side describing the way Liverpool took complete charge of the game against Sevilla in first half of the Europa League final which saw them leading 1-0 at the end of the first half.
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Ferguson feels that Jurgen Klopp has the charisma and personality required for a manager to motivate a club looking to find it’s past glory.
“He’s bought into the fans. And the support have taken to him because he’s shown that enthusiasm on the touchline, with his energy and his personality when he’s jumping out there. I think the combination of both suit each other.”
“I’ve always thought that playing at Anfield was very difficult. Because the crowd create an amazing atmosphere that puts a lot of teams, opponents and the referees under pressure a lot.”
“We saw evidence of that when 3-1 down against Dortmund they got that second goal and the crowd lifted them and I think it inspires this team.They are that kind of football club, Liverpool, that get inspired by their support.”
Ferguson had admitted last year that with the appointment of Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool could finally get their hands on the Premier League which has been out of their reach for more than two decades. Looking at how things are going for Klopp and his team, the dream of winning the Domestic title could soon become a reality.
