You’re not going to see Gary Neville picking up any of he Klopp-mania merch any time soon.
While Liverpool fans have gone absolutely mad with the appointment of their most promising manager in years, the Manchester United legend refuses to get carried away with expectation.
Klopp brings with him the kind of reputation that has Reds fans giddy with excitement after the charismatic German guided Borussia Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles, the DFB-Pokal and a Champions League final.
But Neville is remaining very cynical and claimed in his Telegraph column that Liverpool “must stop fawning over Klopp.”
“I don’t want to be the one popping the balloon at a party, but the giddiness around Klopp’s arrival is about to collide with the reality of Liverpool’s current situation.
“I’m not sure whether Klopp reads our media but I imagine he would be quite uncomfortable seeing the eulogies. There’s been quite a bit of fawning when he has yet to play a football match in England, never mind win one.
“Liverpool need to get their belief and confidence back, and feel – actually, this guy is being given a responsibility, and it’s a privilege. It is almost as if Liverpool have to impress Jurgen Klopp. It should be the other way round.”
Neville goes on to explain that he feels uncomfortable with the fuss kicked up in England when Klopp officially signed on to take over from Brendan Rodgers.
“Of course there would be a fanfare, and excitement. But there would also be pressure on him. Here, it’s almost as if Liverpool Football Club feels blessed to have him – and I’m uncomfortable with that.”
We personally can’t wait Monday Night Football to see Neville and Jamie Carragher debate the issue.
