Jurgen Klopp has vowed to stay at Liverpool for another three years, despite their historically bad form and the prospect of becoming Germany manager.
Liverpool have lost six consecutive home league games for the first time ever and have only taken three points from the last 21, suffering eight defeats as they have gone from top to eighth in a disastrous 2021.
But while Joachim Low has announced he will stand down as Germany's manager after the delayed Euro 2020, Klopp has ruled himself out of the reckoning to succeed him.
“If the question you are asking is whether I am available, the answer is no,” he said. “This summer or after this summer, I will not be available as a potential coach of the German team.”
Klopp retains the support of Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, has a deal at Anfield until 2024 and prides himself on not breaking contracts.
And he added: “I have three years left at Liverpool. It is a simple situation; you sign a contract and you try and stick to that contract. I had a contract at Mainz and stuck with them even though there was interest from other Bundesliga teams with more money. It is just timing. If it doesn’t work out, I don’t lose any sleep.”
Klopp believes Liverpool’s current plight is tougher even than the time he experienced in his final season with Borussia Dortmund, when they dropped into the relegation zone before eventually finishing seventh.
“Dortmund we were 17th or 18th in the league, which was horrible, but I think it is more challenging here now,” he said.
But he feels Wednesday's tie against Leipzig offers a better chance as it is a different competition. Liverpool boast a 2-0 first-leg lead as they look to book a quarter-final place. He said: "We have momentum in the Champions League."
_________________________________________________________________
RB Leipzig 0 Liverpool 2: player ratings
-
LEIPZIG RATINGS: Peter Gulacsi, 6 - The former Liverpool goalkeeper stood strong and saved from Salah when the striker was set to score. He seemed to enjoy the outing against his old club until he was let down by the mistakes of his defenders. AFP -
Nordi Mukiele, 4 - The right back was booked early and had to tread carefully against Mane. He didn’t. His second-half slip allowed the Senegalese to score the second goal. Withdrawn shortly after in the 64th minute for Orban. AP -
Dayot Upamecano, 4 - The Frenchman frequently wasted possession and his attempts to get the ball forward too often led to more pressure. He did not enhance his reputation with a sloppy performance and he was shown up by Liverpool’s front three. Getty -
Lukas Klostermann, 6 - The German was more defensively secure than his colleagues and was unfortunate to stumble when chasing Salah, though it is unlikely the defender could have stopped the Egyptian from scoring. AP -
Kevin Kampl, 4 - The Slovenian tried to disrupt Liverpool’s attacks and provide a platform to counter. He had lots of the ball but generated little threat. Replaced by Hwang Hee-chan with 17 minutes left. PA -
Tyler Adams, 5 - The American pressed hard but struggled to have an impact when in possession. He did not impose himself on the game and disappeared for long spells. PA -
Angelino, 6 - The former Manchester City player generated pressure down the Liverpool right and created the early chance when Olmo hit the post. He kept getting into good positions but his shooting and crossing were wayward. Getty -
Amadou Haidara, 4 - The 23-year-old was often a bystander in midfield as Liverpool passed the ball around him. It was no surprise when he was substituted for Poulsen with 26 minutes to go. AFP -
Marcel Sabitzer, 4 - The Austrian’s dreadful pass allowed Salah to open the scoring. He got into a shooting position just once but his long-range effort went well wide. Getty -
Dani Olmo, 6 - The Spaniard hit the post early on and was a threat in the air. He set up a good chance for Nkunku early in the second half. AFP -
Christopher Nkunku, 6 - The Frenchman had a good opportunity early in the second half but was unable to lift the ball past the goalkeeper. He did not worry the defence unduly. Getty -
SUBS: Yussuf Poulsen, 5 - The Dane tried to inject some thrust by running at the defence after coming on for Haidara in the 64th minute. He saw plenty of ball as his team chased the game -
Willi Orban, 6 - The Hungarian replaced Mukiele with 26 minutes left and was more solid defensively. He arrived at the point Liverpool began to take their foot off the gas. AP -
Hwang Hee-Chan, 5 - The South Korean joined the action with 17 minutes left at the expense of Kampl. He caused the defence problems but missed a golden opportunity to get his team back into the tie in stoppage time. AFP -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker, 6 - The Brazilian was a little skittish with the ball at his feet after his recent mistakes but was closer to his best form. He made a good save from Nkunku just after half time. AFP -
Trent Alexander-Arnold, 7 - The 22-year old was excellent in possession and tried to release Salah whenever he got the chance. He dealt with Leipzig’s attacks and did not allow Angelino to pin him back. Reuters -
Ozan Kabak, 7 - The defender’s Champions League debut went well. He was a bit loose with the ball before the break but was more confident in the second half. Getty -
Jordan Henderson, 8 - The captain provided another exhibition of leadership. He reassured Kabak, used his positional sense to cut out danger and sent a number of penetrating passes forward. AFP -
Andrew Robertson, 7 - The Scot raided aggressively down the left and went close to scoring with a long-range chip. He also made a great block from Olmo in his own box and defended well. AFP -
Georginio Wijnaldum, 7 - The Dutchman found Leipzig’s early press unnerving but soon got a foothold in the game and began to influence proceedings. He helped out the defence whenever necessary. AFP -
Thiago Alcantara, 7 - A much better display from the 29-year-old. He was still slightly reckless in the challenge but he tackled more effectively. His precision passing helped exhaust the Leipzig press. Replaced by Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 72nd minute. AP -
Curtis Jones, 7 - Another who seemed to be overwhelmed by Leipzig’s aggressive opening spell but the 20-year-old knuckled down, gave the German side a taste of their own medicine and wrestled back the initiative for Liverpool. AP -
Mohamed Salah, 8 - The Egyptian was sharp from the start and got behind the defence repeatedly. He forced a good save from Gulacsi in the first half and seized upon a defensive mistake to score the opening goal with aplomb. Taken off in the final minute when Williams was sent on. AFP -
Roberto Firmino, 7 - The Brazilian was full of intelligent running and touches. He put in a good cross for Mane and moved the ball quickly to avoid the Leipzig press. Replaced by Shaqiri with 18 minutes to go. AFP -
Sadio Mane, 8 - The Senegalese put huge pressure on Mukiele and the defender eventually cracked, gifting the striker the second goal. Even when things do not seem to be going his way, the 28-year-old never stops probing. AP -
SUBS: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 6 - Brought into the game for Thiago with 18 minutes to go. Got involved straight away with a dangerous cross but his passing could have been better. Reuters -
Xherdan Shaqiri, 6 - Sent on for Firmino with 18 minutes left. The Swiss worked hard and gave the team’s energy levels a boost. PA -
Neco Williams, 5 - Given a short runout when Salah came off in the last minute. He was so eager to contribute that he got caught offside. Reuters
_________________________________________________________________
Midfielder Gini Wijnaldum thinks Liverpool can save their campaign in Europe but reckons they will have to repeat 2019's final win to get credit for that.
He said: “The Champions League can rescue the season but a lot of people say it is only rescued if you win the Champions League and everyone knows how difficult that is.”
The Dutch international admitted their results have been “really shocking” to the players and accepted that Liverpool have had their belief in each other dented by a series of setbacks.
“There is confidence in the team and in each other but it is less than we are used to because of the situation,” he said. “We were used to winning games and winning trophies and now it is totally the opposite.”
Thursday marks the one-year anniversary of the last time Liverpool played in a full stadium and Wijnaldum is convinced they would be doing better if their supporters were in the stands, but said that is no excuse.
“I believe the things that happen to us right now would not happen with fans in the stadium,” he explained. “But I think we can do better even without the fans. When we analyse the games, it makes us more angry because we can do so much better than we do.”
Wijnaldum could leave Liverpool in the summer. He is a target for Barcelona, is yet to sign a new deal and could go on a free transfer and admitted there is “no news” about one, but said it would be wrench go to.
“The only thing I can say is that I am really happy at the club, with the team, with the fans,” he said. “If that happens you will leave a team you really love. I would be devastated if I didn’t have to play with this team anymore.”
