In today’s Liverpool roundup, we take a look at the what news has been making the headlines for the Reds. Jurgen Klopp claimed the managerial prize at the FIFA Football Best Awards, the Liverpool boss also believes that Steven Gerrard should replace him one day, and Noel Whelan insists the Reds should sign the ‘new Coutinho’ James Maddison.
Klopp’s wins FIFA Best award
Report: The Liverpool boss has beaten Pep Guardiola to the top manager’s prize at the FIFA Football Best Awards in Milan on Monday. Klopp earned the prestigious trophy after helping Liverpool win their sixth European Cup and finish second in the Premier League on 97 points – the third highest in the competition’s history.
Verdict: Although the ex-Dortmund man is entirely deserving of his award, not all agree. Klopp’s victory has caused a little debate amongst the community, with pundits like Danny Mills not in favour of Klopp winning the prize over Guardiola, saying: “It’s difficult to argue, because Liverpool went so close in the Premier League title and won the Champions League. Klopp was outstanding. But he’s also media friendly, isn’t he. If that would have been Mourinho coming second and winning the Champions League, would he have got the vote? No chance!”
However, considering Klopp won the Champions League and finished just one point behind Guardiola in the league, the German is completely deserving of the award. The Reds last year boasted the best defence in England’s top flight, conceding 22 goals and losing just one game all season – it’s hard to look past those astonishing numbers and a European title.
‘He can be the new Coutinho’, says Whelan
Report: Speaking to Football Insider, Noel Whelan said: “James Maddison is absolutely a Liverpool type of player, I can see him joining [Liverpool]. He can be the new Coutinho.
“He’s similar to him in many ways – great feet, can run with the ball, can see a pass that no-one else can and scores wonder goals.
“He’s still young but already he’s a real gem and his value is going to get higher and higher over the next few years.
“All the big teams will be watching him, but they will know he won’t come cheap. Can Liverpool sign him in January? Of course. They got [Virgil] Van Dijk in a January window and haven’t looked back.”
Verdict: Ever since selling Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona last year, the Reds have not directly replaced him as an attacking midfielder, although it can be argued they haven’t needed to considering the form of the front three.
The Brazilian’s importance for Liverpool was unrivaled at the time, scoring 25 goals in his final two seasons at the club. However, back then, it was not expected for Liverpool to only improve as he departed, but with the addition of Maddison, the European champions can reclaim some of those goalscoring numbers he took with him to the Nou Camp.
Maddison burst onto the scene for Norwich City at 19 years old, scoring 14 goals for the club in the Championship two seasons ago. Since then, he netted seven times last campaign for Leicester City and smashed in a thunderous winner against Tottenham Hotspur most recently, which was his first of the season in the top flight.
The Englishman has become one of the hot topics this year, with Manchester United also seeking his services. But, whoever gets the Foxes star will certainly get a top-class player.
‘If you ask who should follow me, I’d say Stevie’, says Klopp
Report: In an interview with FourFourTwo, Klopp admitted he’d like to see Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard at the helm next: “If Liverpool were to sack me tomorrow, then maybe Kenny would be the first choice to replace me, but they would probably bring Stevie down from Glasgow.
“If you ask who should follow me, I’d say Stevie. I help him whenever I can. If someone gets your job, it’s not about them, it’s about you not being good enough.
“I’m old enough to know that I give this job everything. I’m not a genius, I’m not perfect, but I give the club 100 per cent. If that’s enough, great. If it’s not, then it’s just the problem of the situation. I’m not jealous, I’m not sceptical. I’m completely open. If you want my help, you’ll get it”
Verdict: First and foremost, Liverpool needs to do everything in their power to ensure Klopp does not leave Anfield in the near future. By adding a Champions League to the trophy cabinet and finishing on a record high 97 points last year, the German has put himself down as arguably the Reds’ best manager in the Premier League era.
However, Gerrard has certainly established himself as a strong manager as well. The ex-Red helped Rangers finish second in his first season in management, and currently sits just three points behind the dominant Celtic this season. The Englishman also helped Rangers win their first Old Firm in six years last campaign, as he continues to impress as a young manager.
Gerrard could follow in the same steps as Frank Lampard, who after playing 13 years at Chelsea, took charge of the team at which he reached legendary status. Lampard may sit on just eight points after six games, but his focus on young English academy prospects has earned him great respect around the country.