Jamie Carragher hit out at Liverpool for their “shambolic” recent performances, but believes the club would regret sacking Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool have won just three of their 10 games in all competitions since the season restarted after the World Cup. They have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup and are 10th in the Premier League, 11 points adrift of the top four, following their 3-0 thrashing by Wolves last weekend.
Klopp gave a spiky press conference on Friday morning which suggested he is feeling the pressure ahead of the Merseyside derby against Everton on Monday. Former Reds defender Carragher has been angered by the “lack of fight” and believes the team has actually been lucky not to suffer worse results recently.
Nevertheless, he does not think that relieving Klopp of his duties is the answer, pointing to what happened at his previous club, Borussia Dortmund. "I think it's well documented that the Dortmund hierarchy regret Jurgen Klopp moving on, certainly when he's done what he's done at Liverpool," Carragher said on Sky Sports’ Essential Football podcast.
"They said there are plenty of players, but only one Jurgen Klopp and I feel the same. You change Jurgen Klopp, where do you go from that? There are other managers out there but we know we have someone special.
"It's been a poor season by everyone involved and everyone has to take a fair share of the blame, but Jurgen Klopp is the man for me."
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In April 2015, Klopp took the unusual step of announcing he would leave Dortmund at the end of the season, bringing to an end his seven-year stint in charge. Dortmund finished seventh in the Bundesliga in 2014/15 and were knocked out of the Champions League in the last-16.
Liverpool are winless in four Premier League games and have failed to score in their past three matches in the competition. Klopp faces a crucial period, with league matches against rivals Everton and high-flying Newcastle before the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against defending champions Real Madrid.
Klopp has been hindered by injuries in recent weeks, with Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino missing from attack and Virgil van Dijk absent from the back line. Captain Jordan Henderson has struggled for fitness throughout the campaign, while the form of key players like Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Fabinho have dipped.
The Liverpool manager hopes that a spicy derby against Everton at Anfield on Monday will be exactly what his players need to spark a turnaround.
"I'm really looking forward to a derby atmosphere, a proper atmosphere and a proper, proper football game,” he said. "This is not a time or situation we want to be in, but it is a time when we can show the club is really special.
"We are fighting to change the situation in a better direction. The better you behave in your lower moments, the quicker you get to the higher moments. We have to show that reaction."
