William Gallas has doubled down on his previous prediction that Liverpool will not make the top-four - and the former defender has pointed out the Jurgen Klopp mistake that’s the reason why.
Ex-Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea centre-back Gallas caught the attention of Liverpool fans back in August for backing his former sides - alongside predicted champions Manchester City - to pip the Reds to a Champions League place. The 84-capped France international cited the departure of Sadio Mane as a key worry for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Since that bold prediction, the Reds have endured a lacklustre start to the new season, both domestically and in Europe - a start that reached a new low-point in Wednesday’s 4-1 humbling at Napoli in the Champions League. And that start has only strengthened ex-Arsenal captain Gallas’ belief that the top-four is out of reach.
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“I’m not changing my position on Liverpool,” Gallas told Genting Casino . “After yesterday, seeing the United result, I’m predicting it will be even more difficult for Liverpool to finish in the top four.
“Liverpool haven’t shown me anything to change my mind. Liverpool from the last couple of years ago, they wouldn’t have dropped points to teams like Fulham, Crystal Palace or Everton. They don’t look like the same team at the moment. Even Salah, he isn’t performing at the level we are used to seeing from him.”
Jurgen Klopp is entering his seventh season in charge of Liverpool and many of those still featuring regularly were doing so in the Champions League win, the Premier League winning season and both European final defeats. And Gallas admits that to keep a squad hungry for such a long period can be tough - adding that Reds boss Klopp should have been more proactive in refreshing this summer.
“It's not easy to continue to play at that level for three, four or five consecutive seasons,” the former French defender added. “Physically and mentally, what your manager asks of you is very difficult. You need to refresh the squad and bring in new players.
“This squad won the Premier League, Champions League, domestic cups - they have won nearly everything - so to ask your players to do the same thing again, it is really difficult for a manager.
“Klopp is a great manager, for me he is one of the best, but sometimes you have to know when you need to change some players because maybe these players can't give you the same commitment they have done again and again over the last few years.
“Liverpool didn’t start the season with the hunger that we’re used to seeing from them. I think it will be very hard for them this season.”
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