Much has been made of Liverpool’s first three months under new manager Jurgen Kloop, but former Reds legends Jason McAteer, Robbie Fowler and Didi Hamann are confident of a bright future under the German.
Former Irish international McAteer has noted that Klopp is still working with the squad he inherited from the previous regime under Brendan Rodgers, but insisted if given time he’ll bring the club success.
The former winger has accepted that it’s been a rollercoaster ride this season, singling out defeats to West Ham and Watford as performances that have been below par.
“Once he gets a chance to spend some money we will see the best of Liverpool. The future is looking bright” McAteer said.
Robbie Fowler was of similar opinion to his former teammate when he stated “everyone at the club is happy, and us as fans are too.”
When asked what it would take to return Liverpool to being a side capable of challenging for the title, all three recognised the difficulty of the task ahead.
McAteer referenced the spending power of the club’s main rivals for one of the top four spots, and suggested “your finish in the league generally coincides with what you spend on wages.”
Fowler noted: “We know Liverpool can’t attract the Ronaldo’s and Messi’s of the world at the moment, you need Champions League football for that.”
However, he did go on to suggest Klopp’s proven ability to nurture talent, as showcased by his time at Borussia Dortmund, should stand Liverpool in good stead moving forward.
“It’s not about bringing in big players, but players that can fit the way Klopp plays,” he added.
Central to that progress is the form of Brazilian ace Philippe Coutinho, who Hamann feels is integral to the clubs fortunes.
“I would say everyone has their price be it £60, £80 or £100 million but he’s a player Liverpool really need to build around,” he said.
“He’s the one player (at the club) who is at that top level.”
The subject of perennially injured front man Daniel Sturridge divided the former stars, with McAteer and Hamann suggesting Liverpool should cut their losses on the striker, with Fowler maintaining he would stand by the star attacker.
“Would I like to see him go? Probably not because I like what I see when he is fit,” said Fowler. “On his day he’s one of the best forwards in Europe.”
“You just can’t get him on the pitch. Maybe he (Klopp) will cut his losses with Daniel Sturridge – there’s a big question mark over him,” argued McAteer, who revealed his disappointment at the England internationals fitness woes.
Hamann said: “If I was in charge of the football club and somebody told me they’d take him for nothing and take over his wages I’d probably let him go.”