A number of Liverpool fans have hit out at former Reds midfielder Paul Ince after he said that Jurgen Klopp’s side were not yet “a great team” due to their lack of silverware under the German.
Speaking to Goal.com, the 52-year-old said: “Are they a great team? I wouldn’t say they are; you have to win it season after season. I think they have got the talent and the manager to become a great team. Great teams keep winning. If they win it this year and next year, then we can start calling it a great team.” His comments were later posted by @AnfieldEdition on Twitter.
Paul Ince: “Are they [Liverpool] a great team? I wouldn’t say they are; you have to win it season after season. I think they have got the talent to become a great team.
“Great teams keep winning. If they win it this year and next, then we can start calling them a great team.”
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) March 25, 2020
Liverpool have not been crowned champions of England since 1990 and, prior to last June, had won just one trophy in 13 years. Ince also alluded to the Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City teams who put together back-to-back Premier League titles, as well as Arsenal’s 2004 ‘Invincibles‘, as examples of those worthy of being described as “great teams”.
However, Klopp led the team to Champions League glory at the end of 2018/19 and followed that up with UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup triumphs. He also has the Reds on the verge of winning the Premier League, with just six more points required to claim the title in a campaign which has seen them win 27 of their 29 league matches to date. As well as winning a sixth European Cup last season, Liverpool also took the Premier League title race to the final day and accrued 97 points, losing just once in the division.
These Reds fans took to Twitter to voice their disagreement with Ince’s refusal to grant “great team” status on the current Liverpool side:
Bloke is off his head
— Red Ottoman – ???? (@SpionKop88) March 25, 2020
World Champions. Champions of Europe. UEFA Super Cup holders. Soon to be League Champions. Good one Paul.
— jason mcadoo (@jasonmac58) March 25, 2020
Does he not know that we won the Champions League less than 12 months ago.
— Luke Kenny (@Luke_The_Kid) March 25, 2020
A champions league & league title back to back would be a good start?
— Al (@costello_alan) March 25, 2020
We were literally in 2 UCL finals 2 seasons ago. Won one, now this year PL. much more accomplished than invincibles anyway. Why are pundits talking like we’ve just arrived new to the block? & this is our first good season?
— ?? (@SadioMane10i) March 25, 2020
It’s rare I agree with whisky nose but when he called Ince a “big time Charlie” he was ? correct
— Rich ?????? (@ick1emonkey) March 25, 2020
Is Ince right to stop short of calling the current Liverpool side a great team or is he not giving them enough credit? Join in the discussion by commenting below!
