Paul Ince has suggested that any claims Jurgen Klopp is a “bottler” is a “disgrace”.
The German has guided the Reds to three cup finals prior to Saturday’s Champions League clash with Tottenham, but has yet to secure any silverware at Anfield.
But Ince has been quick to dismiss any talk of him being a “bottler”.
Speaking to Paddy Power, he said: “When you look what’s happened since Klopp took over – he’s done an amazing job, a job no one else could have come in and done.
“The only thing I would say is that if Klopp fails to win this weekend, perhaps it would be a case of putting more focus in securing a League Cup or an FA Cup, to ensure you have trophies in the cabinet and the winning mentality.
“But, to call Liverpool or Klopp a ‘bottler’ is a disgrace – utterly ridiculous, whether they win or lose on Saturday.”
OPINION
Ince is absolutely right on this one. The fact of the matter is that far too often, success is measured by silverware. That has led to a trend in the modern game to oust managers if they don’t instantly put trophies in the cabinet. That’s a pretty corrosive way of thinking, and has led to a culture of disposable managerial tenures. Obviously, Liverpool don’t view Klopp in that way, but if the doubters go their way, would he have already been shown the door by now? Potentially. When you look at the job he has achieved at Anfield, and the manner in which he has transformed this side into one of the most formidable in Europe, how can anybody genuinely call him a bottler or advocate for his departure? The Reds are the firm favourites on Saturday, but even if they don’t win, it is only a matter of time before Klopp breaks his duck and brings big success back to Merseyside.
