Liverpool FC hero John Barnes had played down speculation of Jurgen Klopp’s position at Anfield being under threat after what has been a faltering title-defence campaign put out by the Merseysiders.
Klopp’s men have failed to emulate their on-field success of last season’s and the latest defeat in Premier League football for the Reds, which came against city rivals Everton last weekend, meant that Liverpool FC were in danger of missing out on a top-four finish come the end of the campaign.
Despite recent reports claiming that the German was nearing the exit door at Anfield on the back of his side’s underwhelming run of form, Merseyside icon Barnes downplayed such talk as mere gossip as the ex-England international says that Klopp’s position within the Liverpool FC camp is not under any threat.
“If Jurgen Klopp gets his players back from injury and they are still playing in this poor form, then questions will continue to be asked, but what is currently going on has nothing to do with the manager,” Barnes told Goal.
“Liverpool must finish in the top four and compete in the Champions League, but I am not writing off this season.
“Liverpool still have matches to play and to finish in the top four and win the Champions League, they need to be winning matches.
“Liverpool aren’t going to win the Premier League this season and Jurgen Klopp’s position as manager is not under any pressure.”
Recent outings in top-flight action have certainly not gone the Reds’ way and with four defeats on the trot at Anfield, Klopp and Co. are in the face of major scrutiny should the reigning champions fail to secure Champions League football for the next season.
