He was seeing what he had to work with. Klopp has his. Wahl boasts a huge Twitter following and has interviewed some of the best players in the world. PSG, Juventus, Munich etc.). Such enlightened attention to detail even included the arrival of a dedicated throw-in coach, the Dane Thomas Gronnemark, after the tournament, an appointment designed to eradicate errors and maximise the many re-starts from this position during games. The reality could not be more different. This wasn't just a new manager doing the rounds. "Victor Lindelof probably wouldn't have started yesterday if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer felt he had more competition. This could be the beginning of an era for Liverpool, with more titles to come. Let's hope science find a cure for CV19 because I need to return to Anfield. So much more goes on behind the public image - so much more that gives the lie to those who nonsensically claimed Klopp's greatest coaching quality in his early days was as a cheerleader. An expert on his native Bundesliga, the amiable Honigstein is the English football correspondent for German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung and German correspondent for British newspaper The Guardian. "United have played two league games and played pretty poorly in both of them. He insists on punctuality, on everything operating like clockwork. All these things he does because it is natural to him. He is a firm believer in looking first from within. I've been saying for 5 years how good Klopp is. Bolt onto this some spectacular recruitment and you have the 2019-20 Premier League champions. Among the most respected football writers in England, Winter is an authority on all things Premier League. United manager Solskjaer says the club are "working hard" in the transfer market and could do more business before October 5, but the lack of activity so far in this window has led to widespread fan discontent. At the same time he is very friendly with us. He believes that helps him do his work under the radar to deliver what Klopp and Liverpool need. Throughout the summer, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have also been linked with moves for Gareth Bale and Sergio Reguilon - who have both joined Tottenham - and new Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara. Manchester United have lost the ability to do the "dark arts of transfers" and supporters have received "mixed messages" about the club's financial position, according to football writer … To use comments you will need to have JavaScript enabled. 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Salah was the deal that was done, with Klopp very happy to give much of the credit to the forceful opinions of Edwards that this was a potentially game-changing signing. But he is not simply the man who signs the cheques. Klopp joined Liverpool in October 2015, we were 10th. I have watched some great players work with some of the best managers in the business. Analysis and opinion from our chief football writer. "He is big and imposing. If anyone can do it, Klopp can. His signing from Hoffenheim in June 2015 initially raised doubts over Liverpool's "transfer committee", the group that used to lead buying strategy and was responsible for far more failures than successes. In terms of public profile, he remains secretive and elusive, out of the public eye. Truly deserved. Klopp is willing to spend big but not with waste, and the development of youngsters such as teenagers Curtis Jones and Neco Williams in FA Cup wins over Everton and Shrewsbury Town - when Klopp entrusted his under-23s while he and the seniors took a winter break - is confirmation of this strategy. Buvac and Krawietz had been central to Klopp's management team at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund. The summer transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday October 5 with a feast of activity lined up on Transfer Deadline Day on Sky Sports News and across our Sky Sports platforms. Read about our approach to external linking. His and Liverpool's success is the result of a fiercely driven individual. Stewart Coggin has written about the sport of soccer since 2002. Liverpool and their manager were forced to wait an extra three months for their coronation as the season was halted by the global coronavirus pandemic but the silverware is reward for his revitalisation of the club and its support. Time will tell if he is as successful as the others but for todays game, he is the best. Klopp's confidence in himself and those around him is such that he says: "I know I'm good at a couple of things and really good at a few things and that's enough. Watch the Premier League, Formula 1, PGA Tour and much more. Deal announced on 27 December 2017. The Best Football Writers on Social Media. In February 2017, Liverpool had drawn up their list of transfer targets that included the likes of Bayer Leverkusen's Julian Brandt and Christian Pulisic, who was coming to prominence at Borussia Dortmund and is now with Chelsea. That is who Jurgen Klopp is. Gordon empowers and discusses before signing off, and therein lies the method behind Liverpool's brilliant resurgence. In 2008, Samuel made a big money transfer from The Times to the Daily Mail. The big man also covers other sports and writes general columns. He is a vocal, traditional assistant who takes many training sessions along with Klopp. Klopp will then address his players to outline their work in depth. Manchester United have lost the ability to do the "dark arts of transfers" and supporters have received "mixed messages" about the club's financial position, according to football writer Andy Mitten. He doesn't take the easy job (eg. Since Klopp's arrival, Liverpool's transfer business has become the template for efficiency. When the German arrived at Anfield it was inevitable that he would be joined by two of his closest, most trusted allies - Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz. And this is down, in large part, to what those behind the scenes at Anfield describe as Liverpool's "Holy Trinity". My confidence is big enough that I can really let people grow next to me. As is the more visible presence of the lively, tactically sharp Lijnders. Klopp's public persona is the big man with the tactile approach and the booming laugh. Roberto Firmino is another he inherited. "United fans do not have a lot of faith in the club's recruitment policy. As well as his unique professional expertise, Klopp also has human qualities that make him someone who is loved in the game. His input and collaboration has been just as important as anyone else's in getting us into a position to compete for the game's top titles.". Klopp, of course, is the leader in all respects, while Krawietz is now joined by Pep Ljinders. Ta La. The same was true of the £75m move for Van Dijk from Southampton. He is the chief football writer at The Daily Telegraph, where he covers matches and produces regular columns, each one a thing of beauty. It's incredible the difference one msn can make. The Spain-based English journalist is The Guardian's La Liga correspondent. On the pitch, Klopp has earned his reputation alongside the other coaching greats now in the Premier League, such as Manchester City's Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti at Everton and Jose Mourinho at Tottenham. While Henry may be the figurehead, Gordon is the most influential owner in many ways because he makes the crucial decisions along with Klopp and Edwards - whether it is a signing, contract renewals or extensions, even down to the recruitment of academy coaches. He acted as translator for David Beckham, Michael Owen, and Thomas Gravesen when the trio played for Real Madrid. Klopp is frugal but strategic. Follow all the news and analysis on SSN and across Sky Sports' digital platforms, including with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog. Be a comprehensive football writer and football fan. Lindelof has played well in the past and will probably play well in the future - he played very well against Manchester City for example - but there's a lack of competition. But he is not simply the man who signs the cheques. "The squad is absolutely massive but the fact that against Brighton Ole Gunnar Solskjaer felt he couldn't play another player instead of Victor Lindelof shows how little confidence he has in the other defenders at Manchester United.". Not that Klopp is a romantic. An absolutely brilliant season for Liverpool FC. The development of Jones and Williams, and his trust in them, means Liverpool arguably have another £50m that can be spent elsewhere. That is one of his big strengths.". They have done everything with perfection. Only one player has come in, United are struggling to get rid of players. All decisions are based on hard-headed business reality and if the game-changer is there, Liverpool will be in the hunt. The notion that he simply strolls around Melwood smiling and hugging people may sustain those who wish to pour cold water on his brilliant successes, or downplay his tactical shrewdness. Do not miss your chance to scoop £1m for free in this week's Super 6 round. When a quality coach like JK came to the right place at a right time with a right squad success was inevitable. In a previous time, there was justifiable cause to question a muddled transfer policy, especially after the £75m sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona in summer 2014. It proved to be a short stint and when he left, Klopp had no hesitation in bringing him back for the start of the 2018-19 season to fill the gap vacated by Buvac. However, Liverpool and Krawietz are not slaves to specifics. He has total trust and confidence in their judgement. "One former player said to me this week - a legendary United player - that the club have lost the ability to do the dark arts of transfers and he gave an example. It's been a poor transfer window in their eyes. Both Krawietz and Lijnders are assistant managers. Huge congratulations to Liverpool JK and all the fans. Inside Melwood, the story is very different. If tactics are your thing, Wilson will fulfill your every need. ", Since Klopp's arrival, Liverpool's transfer business has become the template for efficiency. Cancel any time. "If Sir Alex Ferguson wanted a player, the player would know that Ferguson wanted him, would know where he was going to play and he'd be sold the dream. If you are looking for the inside track on transfer dealings, particularly involving Spanish and English clubs, look no further than Balague. It is a three-pronged approach that brought almost perfection at various stages over the past two seasons and, to use the words of Brian Clough about Peter Taylor, the goods at the back of the store are almost as essential to the overall package as what is in the shop window. A look at 10 of the best English language football writers in the world. If a meeting is planned for 10am, 10am it is. What a man! In 2017-18, Liverpool scored 13 goals and conceded 12 from set-pieces. but the analysis provided by Krawietz has always been crucial. They feel that there has been mixed messages," Mitten told Sky Sports News. Coutinho was not replaced, but acquisitions were made in other areas that pushed Liverpool to their current level.