Liverpool rumors on WhatsApp unfair on Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp is not the first Liverpool manager to see his future questioned ahead of a European game.

For Rafael Benitez, this became an all too familiar event as he constantly locked horns with owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett during the latter stages of his reign.

Roy Hodgson’s tenure was regularly challenged whenever another instantly forgettable Europa League group game highlighted the Reds’ lingering problems.

And the spotlight shone on Brendan Rodgers when his only Champions League campaign rushed the start of the end of his time in the seat.

Klopp, however, found himself in a different situation on Monday when he had to respond to speculation that he was somehow moving away from Anfield.

These were the rumors that spread across Merseyside and beyond over the weekend, prompted by the void left by Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Leicester City.

Klopp, said a WhatsApp message going around, was walking away for a short break. Another said he would never come back. A wild rumor suggested he had been fired. And there was also a claim that Alisson Becker and Andy Robertson had an argument in the locker room at King Power Stadium and had to be separated.

Alarmed Liverpool fans rallied. A banner stating ‘Jurgen Klopp YNWA’ was draped over the fence behind the Kop at Anfield as one after another fan counts spent Valentine’s Day displaying their affection for the German.

When the Reds boss stepped out for training on Monday at noon and then attended his press conference ahead of tonight’s Champions League round of 16 with RB Leipzig in Budapest, speculation was sealed.

Nonetheless, Klopp then approached the allegations with a mixture of bewilderment and defiance.

In truth, the fact that the password has been credited does a disservice to the Reds boss. Never before had he shown the slightest semblance of walking away from a fight.

Yes, account was taken of the emotional strain caused by the recent death of his mother and Klopp’s inability to attend the funeral in Germany.

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But just because the general public had taken notice of the devastating news that this week was only the Reds boss and his family hadn’t already had to deal with the situation.

“I can divide things up and turn it off,” Klopp said, reflecting on how he separates his work and his personal life. “I don’t carry objects. “

The baggage Liverpool are carrying right now is considerable, however, having won just three of their last 12 games, prompting the Reds boss to realistically score his title defense and refocus his mind on a finish among the top four.

Tonight, then, could provide a welcome distraction from national concerns with the Reds resuming their Champions League campaign with a round of 16 first leg against RB Leipzig.

Nominally away, the match has been transferred to Puskas Arena in Budapest due to coronavirus restrictions in Germany.

If Leipzig is in form – they were beaten in the semi-finalists last season, are second in the Bundesliga and have won their last four games – history favors Liverpool.

They have beaten the German opposition more times than any other in Europe and have not lost any of their last 10 games against Bundesliga sides, the most recent being their 3-1 cumulative success against Bayern Munich at this point on the point of winning the competition. two years ago.