Next Year is Our Year!!

"Next year is our year" the familiar tale you hear from Liverpool fan's over that last 25 years and counting since they last won the English League title.  Their demise has been quite staggering over the past 25 years that Manchester United fans are quietly hoping and praying that they too don't follow the similar barren spell their rivals and neighbours have endured following the departure two years ago of Sir Alex Ferguson.

The events at Old Trafford show how quickly things can change, from being Champions in 2012/13 to finishing 7th in 2013/14 to 4th in 2014/15 it is easy to see how quickly the years can fly by and you realise it's been 25 years since you have won the title and you go through the seasons sometimes challenging until the pressure sets in and other years merely taking part.  Managers come and go, some do well winning League Cups here and there, the FA Cup Finals are always welcome for any fan, while winning the Champions League in 2005 and coming so close in 2007 under Rafa Benitiz will go down in  Liverpool history.

These will always be remembered by all Liverpool fans and these cup wins and finals appearances would gladly be swapped for a Premier League title if you asked any truthfully honest Liverpool supporter or player.  Magnificent players and club legends like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher left Anfield with that one regret.  Sir Alex Ferguson famously said in 2002, "My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their fucking perch."  This shows you the high regard Liverpool were once held in, in regard to title challengers and how these days they merely get mentioned as possible title candidates.

Brendan Rodgers came so close to ending this long drought in 2013/14 season when it all fell apart at the end and supporters and players alike were left dreaming of what was so close but disappeared before their eyes.  Rodgers did a good job in his three and half years in the job, many believe he peaked too early in finishing second in 2014 and there is a lot of truth in this. The crushing blow of letting it slip in the final stages brought a lot of pressure on his shoulders and maybe he was too inexperienced to deal with the pressure. the departure of star players never helps and the failure to replace them certainly does not, regardless of whether the manager or the club has the final say on who comes in.  Liverpool reached the Champions League but despite this they failed to lure any big names that I believe a manager of the International recognition of Jurgen Klopp would.  Players will want to play for Klopp.  Klopp's Dortmund side reached the Champions League Final in 2013 and entertained football fans worldwide in his reign at the Bundesliga side.

Jurgen Klopp is available and is be the right man and the right time for Liverpool.  Liverpool fan's must be excited and the thoughts or Klopp taking the Anflield hot seat. When Kenny Dalglish left the club, Brendan Rodgers and Roberto Martinez were the front runners for the job, now three years on Liverpool are searching for a manager again with Klopp and Carlo Ancelotti the front runners.  It's a game of timing and luck as to who is available when you decide to replace your manager.  Liverpool pulled a masterstroke in replacing Rodgers when both these two managers are available.  Either would be perfect and would come into the job having the rest of the season to take stock and build upon the slow start Rodgers has started. Liverpool are not in a relegation battle, they are 10th just six points off the top with a realistic chance of finishing in the coveted Champions League spots, while also still in the Europa League.  Klopp has plenty of time to turn things round and has time to assess his squad before a very important summer in the transfer market.

If I were a Liverpool fan I'd be sad to see a good Football man in Brendan Rodgers leaving but would be full of excitement at the thoughts of a man of Klopp's stature in the game coming to my club.  While still only young himself he would be high on the short list of many top European sides should they change their manager.  He brings an enthusiasm for the game, as well as playing an entertaining style of play. He also has a likeable nature that will only add to the appeal of the Premier League. Liverpool are right to snap him up and if given time, money and patience Klopp is the best bet the Kop have had since Kenny Dalglish lifted the League title way back in 1990 to finally end the drought.  If not his press conferences alone will be an entertaining watch.