Roberto Firmino is the only Liverpool first teamer exempt from Jurgen Klopp’s new ‘Ronnie Moran-esque’ management style, according to Paul Joyce.
Writing in a column in the Times, the Merseyside correspondent explained how the Anfield manager has adapted his style during his three-year reign in a bid to coax the maximum from the players.
Joyce says Klopp has cut out the hugs and delivered verbal digs into the ribs of the squad to ensure they stay on their toes, with Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson among those namechecked, while Naby Keita and Sadio Mane have been withdrawn early from matches this season with the outcome still up in the air.
“It is true that some, such as Roberto Firmino, have been heralded, but then Klopp believes that the Brazilian does not receive the credit that he deserves and so is prepared to make an exception,” writes Joyce in the Times.
“Overall, however, the change in tone is discernible. It is Ronnie Moran-esque in one sense, and an infusion of the push-push-push principles of the venerable former coach, one of the most important figures in the club’s history, is no bad thing.”
OPINION
Klopp is smart and adaptable enough to know there is more than one way to skin a cat. Or, to get the best out of a Premier League footballer at an elite club. The rules have changed at Liverpool, along with the expectations, because of the team’s clear improvement during his reign. Celebrating home draws with misguided team bows in front of the Kop, or bear hugs to all and sundry, has been replaced by managerial muscle-flexing aimed at cutting out complacency before it can rear its head. It is interesting, nonetheless, that the manager treats Firmino slightly different. The Brazilian is the undisputed first choice spearhead and thrived on the manager’s trust to play the best football of his career last season. He has started all three matches in the new campaign, and has played well without reaching his 2017-18 level. Yet, he appears immune to criticism, because Klopp feels he does not get the acclaim his technical excellence, unselfishness and excellent movement deserve. Few can argue with that, although most shrewd Liverpool observers know how good and important Firmino is.