At the same point in their careers as Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers had a better record than Jurgen Klopp and yet most would not think so.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group B match against Paris Saint Germain.
Ask your average Liverpool fan if they would prefer to still have Brendan Rodgers as manager instead of Jurgen Klopp and the answer would probably be a resounding ‘no’.
And yet after 72 Premier League matches in charge, Rodgers’ record was superior to Klopp’s in almost every way. The Northern Irishman won 40 games in comparison to 37, scored 164 goals in comparison to 141 and had secured 138 points in comparison to 131. In all competitions Rodgers had won 53.8% of his first 106 games, Klopp won 50.9%.
Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool looks on prior to the Premier League match against Burnley at Anfield.
This may come as a surprise to many, but it could well be that the current boss’ charisma and power of character is actually papering over the cracks somewhat at Anfield.
Rodgers was unfavourably compared to Ricky Gervais’ buffon boss from sitcom The Office, David Brent, while his German counterpart is heralded for his charming post-match interviews and witty remarks.
Roberto Martinez, manager of Everton, and Brendan Rodgers, manager of Liverpool, on the touchline in 2015.
Yet the statistics don’t lie. This is not to say that over time Klopp will prove to be the superior manager – or not. But there remain major issues for the Reds, such as defensive frailty and failing to beat mid-table teams, that seem to have been a constant problem since the 50-year-old took charge in October 2015.
Klopp is certainly a likable person, but is that actually proving to be a problem when it comes to how he is critiqued by supporters, pundits and the media alike.
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