Evans: Why Klopp can’t ‘do a Rodgers’ at Liverpool
Former Liverpool manager Roy Evans believes that Jurgen Klopp can take Liverpool forward if he avoids the transfer market mistakes of Brendan Rodgers.
Rodgers led Liverpool to second place in 2013/14, but tended to buy at least six or seven players a season and ended up with a squad high on quantity but lower on quality.
Klopp is now suffering from the opposite issue, with Liverpool’s strength in depth lacking.
Evans believes that Klopp is making great progress at Liverpool, and signing a few key targets in problem positions in the way forward, rather than the more scattergun approach.
“I like what he says, he wants the fans to enjoy watching the game and the players to enjoy playing it. They’re massive parts,” Evans told the Liverpool Echo.
“This is an industry where, for me, entertainment is the main thing and results come along with that. He’s getting there with his team. We’ve had a few chances to win trophies, but failed. But I do feel we are going the right way.
“Hopefully we can stay in that top four, and that’s a big possibility, and then come the summer I hope he starts to make three or four big signings, rather than going the way Brendan Rodgers went in making seven or eight – and maybe not getting the same quality as a result.
“I don’t think it’s about spending the money, it’s about making sure you get the right player for your team. Just because a player is available doesn’t mean you go and spend £15m on him just for the sake of it.
“The manager will work it out. Jurgen is a bright lad, but what he shouldn’t be frightened of is spending the money, because it’s not his, it’s the football club’s, and it is there to make you a better team.”
The interview was part of a wide-ranging chat with Evans for a Liverpool Echo podcast.