He has really got it in for Jurgen.
Liverpool’s chronic injury list is threatening to derail their whole season, and fitness coach Raymond Verheijen isn’t letting up on his one-man mission to out the manager as the clueless culprit.
Verheijen, who boasts the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea, the Netherlands national team, Manchester City and, eh, Wales on his impressive CV, predicted further injuries for Liverpool’s squad last month, and on Tuesday two more of their number succumbed to hamstring damage.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, the Dutchman reiterated his feeling that Klopp was overworking his players, both in games and in training.
“Liverpool were already struggling with injuries before Klopp arrived, so to introduce this pressing game over this busy period was asking for trouble,” Verheijen said.
“The players were used to a possession game under Brendan Rodgers, which is physically less demanding.
“Then, all of a sudden, a new manager comes in with a new style. They need time to adapt. It’s Russian roulette.”
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Although the gegenpressing style is something of trademark for Klopp teams, Verheijen feels it should be implemented in a far more gradual manner.
“It is possible to play this high-pressing game, if you balance everything correctly,” he explains.
“He should have implement his style in a gradual way, or waited until after the Christmas period. But this would only happen if a coach is flexible.
“Unfortunately Klopp is more like a teacher. They have the same methods wherever they go. They work in the same way and ignore the external factors. It’s a rigid approach.
“He needed to adapt to the situation, like Guus Hiddink at Chelsea. He is trying to create a positive atmosphere and over time we will see slight changes.”
Coincidentally, Hiddink has employed the fitness guru on numerous occasions throughout his career.
