Liverpool legends Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness have backed Jurgen Klopp to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League this season, but both have urged the Reds manager to make big changes to his defensive lineup ahead of next season.”At the start of the season, Liverpool would have been delighted with a top-four finish, but people suddenly wanted a bit more than that after the flying start they had,” Carragher said.
“Even when they started well, I always felt Liverpool didn’t have a squad to go through a whole Premier League season and sustain a challenge for the title and that is in a season when they don’t have European football.
“Now, you have to say that if they get into the top four this season, they will have had a great season because they do not have the budgets to compare to the Manchester clubs and Chelsea.
“They need to fix a few things defensively if they are going to move forward over the next few years. They need to look at the goalkeeping position, maybe the centre-back and at left-back, but that will be easier if they have Champions League football to offer.”
Carragher has backed Klopp to succeed in his task of transforming Liverpool from title pretenders into contenders ahead of next season, as he suggests he is the “perfect fit” to be the club’s manager.
Liverpool’s 3-1 win against local rivals Everton on Saturday eased Klopp’s side into third place in the Premier League, six points clear of Manchester United back in fifth.
While Jose Mourinho’s United have two games in hand on Liverpool, Carragher is confident that his former club will seal a top-four berth and suggests that should be hailed as a success for Klopp and his team despite disappointing exits in both domestic cup competitions in January.
“Klopp shows his emotions and people are responding to it in a positive manner,” added Carragher.
“His presence has lifted Liverpool in the last few years. He has a great energy on the touchline. If he is having that effect on the fans, imagine what he is doing for the players working with him every day.
“I would love to have played under him. There are no airs and graces with Klopp. He doesn’t change for anyone and I can’t see any other manager in world football fitting into Liverpool like he does.
“The Liverpool people like his personality and they want him to succeed. If he takes the club back into the Champions League, he will have achieved his first goal.”
Meanwhile, former Liverpool captain and manager Souness said that Klopp’s team will only have themselves to blame if they come up short in the battle for a top-four finish.
“It would be very, very disappointing if they don’t get into the top four and I strongly fancy them to do it now,” Souness said. “It is theirs to lose now.
“I think Arsenal will miss out this season, Manchester United are a good way behind and they have some difficult fixtures ahead, so Liverpool [are] in a very good position.
“I don’t like using the word ‘disaster’ when it relates to football, but it would be a big disappointment if Liverpool are not in the Champions League next season on a number of levels.
“First and foremost, it affects the kind of players you will be able to attract in the transfer window next summer, both in terms of finance and in terms of pulling power.
“The biggest frustration if they miss out would be that they have slipped up because of their record against the lesser teams. They have done so well in the games against their top-six rivals, but the defeats against Burnley, Bournemouth, Hull and Swansea have been damaging. It would be so hurtful.
“The big teams that will qualify for the Champions League this season, they have beaten them. Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham have all been beaten by Liverpool, so they should be in the mix for that top four when the final ball is kicked.”
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