Former Liverpool striker Ian Rush insists Jurgen Klopp is the man to rebuild an underperforming squad who are approaching the end of their natural life cycle.
Performances have dropped off significantly since last season’s quadruple-chasing efforts saw the side finish with two trophies.
But the exit from both those domestic cups this term, plus falling well off the pace in the race for the top four – combined with some lengthy injuries – have highlighted the cracks which have appeared in an ageing squad.
Rush, however, believes Klopp is still the right man for the Reds.
Everton’s Dyche hopes win against Arsenal will help Toffees tonight
Everton’s win over leaders Arsenal restored some belief and boss Sean Dyche hopes to be able to carry that into tonight’s Merseyside derby.
The Toffees’ only victory at Anfield since 1999 came behind closed doors in February 2021 during Covid restrictions and they have just two wins in 22 matches against their near-neighbours. But Dyche said: ‘There is plenty of belief in what we do. It is actually taking action, that is the big thing for me.
‘We can all talk and have ideas but when the whistle blows you have to perform. The last one doesn’t guarantee the next one. There has been a lot of planning gone on this week but the players are aware we have to go again, and that has to be a constant mentality throughout the season.’
‘Everyone has faith in Jurgen, we know he is a top manager and it takes time,’ Rush said. ‘People sometimes forget when we nearly did the quadruple that was an unbelievable season and you are not going to get another season like that.
‘You have to go back and start rebuilding, start getting the confidence and we will come good. In the 80s when Liverpool were successful they made all the rebuilding and kept on winning and no one realised they had been phased out.
‘It is difficult to keep on winning and keep rebuilding. But I am certain we have a great manager in Jurgen.’
Match preview: Liverpool v Everton, Sky Sports Main Event, 8pm
Who is this a bigger game for, Jurgen Klopp or Sean Dyche? On the evidence of recent times – and given the Reds’ top Premier League scorer post-World Cup is Leicester defender Wout Faes with two own-goals – you would have to say Klopp. But only just. And this is why: Toffees boss Dyche will be absolutely relishing this Merseyside derby.
The German will not. This is, in fact, the last thing Liverpool’s manager needs with his side’s season well beyond miserable at this point.
Out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, tenth in the table and with Everton arriving buoyed by the Dyche new-boss bounce.
After one win in seven in all competitions, and just two goals in their last five matches, it would be a very useful time for January signing Cody Gakpo to pop up with his first goal for the club. This is the sort of occasion for which Dyche is made. Klopp had better dig in.
MORE : Cody Gakpo reveals how close he came to joining Man Utd before Liverpool move
MORE : Sean Dyche opens up on ‘rivalry’ with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp ahead of Merseyside derby
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