Antonio Conte and Jurgen Klopp
By Aminu Wada
Liverpool fans saying this current season in the premier league and in Europe has been a disaster for them would be an understatement of epic proportions. The loyal followers of the Reds had grown accustomed to reveling in success under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, as the charismatic German tactician steered the Merseyside giants through a golden era, scooping up nearly every conceivable footballing honor during his six-year tenure.
Alas, the ominous specter of the seven-year itch has reared its ugly head for the erstwhile Borussia Dortmund gaffer, casting a dark shadow over the once-mighty fortress that he had painstakingly constructed. The club now finds itself languishing far below the lofty standards and expectations it had previously set.
In a twist of cruel irony, Arsenal, hailing from North London, have ascended to the summit of the Premier League, while perennial adversaries Manchester City and Manchester United trail in second and third place, respectively. Liverpool supporters, who once reveled in mocking their eternal rivals from Manchester, now find themselves grappling with the sobering reality of clinging to a tenuous 6th place standing.
It wouldn’t have been any worry for the Reds had they maintained a spot in the Champions League, that’s if they hadn’t lost to an embarrassing 6-2 defeat to Real Madrid.
As Jurgen Klopp would say, ‘It’s like there is a witch in the building watching over Liverpool’s season.’ But like every negatives, there stands a positive lurking in the corners waiting to be uncovered, and for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp, that may be the sacking of Antonio Conte from Tottenham Hotspur.
Antonio Conte and Jurgen Klopp
The North London club stands as the only rival, should consistency be a keyword, that could challenge the Reds from being in the Champions League next season as they currently sit 4th in the Premier League table.
In fact, if the Reds could pull a 2020/21 season and win the top 4 battle, Jurgen Klopp will for sure have beaten the 7-year curse laid on him by the media.
But are Tottenham the only ones in a race for the top 4? Certainly not. Rising from the status of plucky underdogs in recent times, Newcastle United has demonstrated their ability to rub shoulders with the elite, provided they can maintain a consistent performance level upon their return from the international break.
Despite their recent progress, the Magpies are still considered long shots compared to the potential heights Antonio Conte could have reached had he remained at the helm of Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta offers a glimpse into Conte’s capabilities, as the Spanish found himself in a hot chase for the top 4 with the Gunners’ bitter rivals right up until the final match day.
As the annals of history now record, Conte emerged victorious in that particular skirmish, leaving Arteta and his troops licking their wounds after losing both the war and the derby last season.
But even though Conte’s departure may offer some relief to Klopp, a more significant challenge looms large for the Reds. As the age-old adage goes, heaven can only help those who are of help to themselves.
Aminu Wada writes for Eko Hot Blog. This media platform reserves all rights to this article.
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