Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted to losing sleep and phoning Tonya Harding for advice over Liverpool’s appointment of Jurgen Klopp as manager. Well...maybe not. If Ferguson has been watching recent United matches, he’s not having any trouble sleeping. He might have Tonya's mobile number, though.
"Wake me up when Fellaini comes on." Photo: @shafaaret_ | Twitter
For the managerial legend who famously declared that his “greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their f****** perch,” the arrival of the German who is already transforming the fortunes of the Merseyside club represents something of a bother.
Klopp has lost only two of his first 12 matches in charge, reviving a Liverpool side that had drifted to 10th in the Premier League after having taken only 12 points from their first eight matches. Liverpool have since risen to a tie for 6th while ensuring qualification from their Europa League group.
Ferguson told the TechCrunch London Conference, “I’m worried about him. I’m worried about him because one thing United don’t want is Liverpool to be above us. That’s for sure.”
Ferguson led the Red Devils to 13 league titles, bringing the club to an all-time total of 20. For those keeping score, that’s two more than Liverpool’s total of 18.
Ferguson added, “he’s going to make a difference to that club, no doubt about it. He’s got the personality, the drive, he’s got the knowledge and great presence about him. I think things will look up there, I really do.”
While seeing Liverpool surpass Manchester United in his lifetime would certainly lead to the hairdryer treatment for everyone involved at the club, Liverpool’s loss to Newcastle United at the weekend has served as a reasonable reminder about how much work Klopp still has in front of him.
Players like Adam Lallana, Alberto Moreno and Roberto Firming appear to be thriving under their new manager, but Klopp’s status as the messiah of Anfield has been challenged by the same recurring issue that faced Brendan Rodgers before him: Daniel Sturridge is reportedly injured again.
