The similarities between Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp has been linked to Brendan Rodgers’ job since he announced his departure from Dortmund

The sights and sounds that surround a person are one of the key contributors to the decision-making process. Nature plays a huge role when it comes to clear thinking, be it the sanctity of the silence that is pierced by crickets or the cacophony of the chirping birds that surrounds one when wakes up at dawn. In the context of sports and especially football, sometimes emotions overrule practical solutions.

The implications of the age old adage “Haste makes Waste” often make more sense in football rather than any sport. Because it spawns an environment, which is reactive in nature and thus fuels long drawn discussions between contemporaries of differing viewpoints.

End of Season

Ever since the defeat to Manchester United, Liverpool’s form has been nothing short of alarming. As pointed out by prominent pundits, columnists and experts, Liverpool have been woeful.

Although, the term eye-catching is used for spectacular events, the way Liverpool’s season has unfolded can also be termed eye-catching albeit in a negative way.

For a person, who has been following Liverpool FC for more than a decade, we, the club fans are again greeted at another crossroad, but before we jump to any conclusion, the question is – are we really at a crossroads or are we letting our fear get the better of ourselves.

In recent weeks, it has been speculated that Jurgen Klopp is one of the front runners to replace Brendan Rodgers.

Although earlier in the week, there was a certain repose of faith shown by Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) towards Rodgers, the author would again like reiterate his support towards the work done by Rodgers.

There are three main areas of argument that will facilitate this Klopp v Rodgers debate, and the author will proceed mindful of the fact, that those factors alone cannot be the strict parameters of judgement.

Philosophy

One common factor that unites both these young managers is their philosophy – High Pressing, Pass and Move and Counter Attacking Football. Emphasis by both coaches on the technical part of the game rather than the physicality is another common factor.

To give the paying public a sense of fulfilment and entertainment so that they can walk out of the stadium with a smile on their faces has always been the objective of these coaches.

Unfortunately, on the basis of these principles, Rodgers has a very poor conversion rate when it comes to winning trophies. On the other hand, Klopp managed to deliver a Bundesliga as well as German Cups and came up short against arch-rivals Bayern in the Champions League final to end as runners up.

This debate in itself can run into unending words as to how Klopp was given time whereas the patience of LFC supporters is supposedly fickle in nature.

I have declared myself a Rodgers supporter, but before we delve further I want to add that – “time is of the essence”. On the basis of this time, only was Klopp able to build a team.

Rodgers, on the other hand, has been involved in a project which looks more like a “work in progress”.

Being aware of the rapidly changing situation in football, often clubs forget to put down roots, LFC as an institution has always believed in roots, and to show solidarity with Rodgers in times like this is one way of showing what the club stands for.

The frequent changes to the system are not an excuse that managers can use for the period of a season, but when those changes involve the loss of key players which gave the team a different dimension shows that those changes cannot be ignored. It is in lieu of those necessary changes that Rodgers should be given some leeway.

Marco Reus has been absent from the Dortmund side for stretches through injuries

Injuries and Transfers

Both managers have had horrendous luck with injuries this season. Injuries to key personnel and the lack of alternative options forced both managers to develop a system which the team took some time getting used to.

In addition, the constant movement of key personnel and star players to greener pastures has also been a major hindrance to progress as a team. If LFC lost Luis Suarez, so did Dortmund in the form of Robert Lewandowski, the repercussions though were felt by both teams.

Atleast, LFC recouped quite a hefty amount, whereas Lewandowski left on a free.

Given the way some of the transfer signings have performed; Rodgers signings can be rightly questioned. Except Lallana partially and Emre Can, some of them haven’t reached their potential. Earlier signings haven’t responded spectacularly as well in the form of Fabio Borini and Iago Aspas.

Jurgen Klopp has done better, using loan signings as well as recognizing the team’s requirements. Klopp has done magnificently to fill gaps created by Goetze and Lewandowski to get personnel in who have retained the shape of the team. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, a target for both clubs last to last summer can be cited as one of the successes.

Injuries though have been the main villain, as can be seen by the alarming form of Dortmund in the first half of the Bundesliga and similarly, for Liverpool, when they lost Lucas and the continued absence of Sturridge. But purely on the basis of transfer signings I would tilt the scale of balance towards Klopp.

Developing Young Players

At the outset, the success rate of Rodgers at bringing through youth over Klopp is exemplary. Given the recent successes of Raheem Sterling, Jordan Ibe and Jon Flanagan, it can be said that Rodgers has an edge over Klopp.

But when analysed in the context of their respective philosophies, it must be noted that since both managers prefer a high pressing style, there is a certain trust placed on younger players. Like all coaches, there is the ability for the managers to mould the younger players to suit their system, rather than the other way around, which is not generally possible when it comes to older players.

Steven Gerrard is set to play his first game in the MLS on July 11

While Rodgers has had to deal with ageing superstars in the form of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, Klopp has faced lesser problems of such nature. But as I reiterated earlier, it is the loss of key performers such as Lewandowski and Goetze, who ticked all boxes for Klopp but still ended up leaving Dortmund.

On the trophy front, though, Liverpool is completely beaten in spite of all the enterprising play. Clubs connect on an another level with fans, when there are trophies in the cabinet.

Klopp with his wild and much more expressive style is not the measure of passion which Rodgers displays as well. While, Klopp is more of an action guy, Rodgers prefers to be the quiet and calculating guy, who believes in pulling the strings and let his players take the adulation and limelight.

Conclusion

The final day performance of both clubs ended on sour notes, as Liverpool was thrashed 6-1 at Britannia Stadium, thus weakening his position as the LFC manager. The acceptance of responsibility does show Rodgers in good light. A review is in the pipeline as has been mentioned in the media.

Klopp lost the German Cup Final, and will be taking a sabbatical after 7 years of joyous strain as he has described it.

The touted replacements for Rodgers have been ruled out due to varying reasons, thus providing another opportunity for Rodgers to iron out certain issues. A better push for the title and a domestic trophy, will go some way in restoring the owner’s faith in Rodgers.

These are just some of the few points that are likely to be discussed during the review. While the final day result was the worst since 1963, it is never too bad a thing to shake things up. A strict review and a move towards the adoption of reforming principles can help Rodgers get better.

Remember one of the priorities of FSG, when appointing a coach was a bright young manager, a project which needs time. While everyone desires success in the form of trophies, it is the roots that can give the structure more strength so as to build pinnacles of success.

Liverpool as an institution has served as a role model for many other clubs. All fans of their respective clubs, crave for instant success, but patience is the true winner.

A lifetime of patience may not guarantee a title, but it sure will help the belief and the ability to put harder times behind with a smile on our faces knowing that:

“At the end of the storm, there’s a golden sky, walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain. Though your dreams be tossed and blown. Walk on walk on with hope in your heart, and you will never walk alone”