Soccer

Klopp condemns Scott Parker sacking by ‘nervous owners’

Liverpool manager says sacking was ‘harsh’ after difficult games

Jurgen Klopp: he wants to add a midfielder to the Liverpool ranks before the summer transfer window closes. Photograph: PA Wire
Jurgen Klopp: he wants to add a midfielder to the Liverpool ranks before the summer transfer window closes. Photograph: PA Wire
Tue Aug 30 2022 - 20:02

Jürgen Klopp has attributed Scott Parker’s sacking to “nervous owners”, and said he had no complaints over Liverpool’s spending under Fenway Sports Group (FSG). Bournemouth dismissed Parker on Tuesday four games into the season and three days after their 9-0 humiliation at Liverpool, although his post‑match comments on the club’s limited spending appear to have been a factor.

Klopp condemned the first managerial sacking of the Premier League campaign as a knee-jerk reaction that did little for the promoted club’s predicament.

“Unbelievable,” the Liverpool manager said. “When I heard it I felt this is the moment you realise how important the right owners are. There are different systems in the Premier League in how clubs are led. Some countries own clubs and some rules do not let them to do exactly what they want if they could stretch their resources. Other clubs have structures, like us and maybe Arsenal. Then there are clubs like Bournemouth.

“Three teams came up: Nottingham Forest is spending, Fulham is spending and I can’t remember Bournemouth doing a lot. That is difficult if you arrive in the Premier League. I felt for Scott. It is not that his team is not good enough; not at all. It is just that if the first four games include [Manchester] City, Arsenal and Liverpool it is like a set-up for a new manager if you have nervous owners. Scott is an outstanding manager and then you get four games like this and the owner says ‘see you later?’ That is really harsh.”

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Liverpool’s owners have again been criticised by sections of the club’s support this summer over their investment in Klopp’s squad. Klopp, who wants a midfielder before the deadline on Thursday, admits he would take more risks in the transfer market than FSG but accepted its business model when he arrived seven years ago.

“It is always like this,” he said. “Is it always easy? No. From time to time I would risk a bit more but I don’t decide. We will try everything until there is no deadline.

“I am not careful [with transfer funds]. We get told what is possible and what is not possible. There is no criticism. We became champions in a season when we did not sign anyone. That is not the famous approach after coming second. Unfortunately, the season started with two many injuries, but we have to get through it.” – Guardian