A few random thoughts on the last few days:
1. Klopp, despite his imperfect English, knew exactly what he was doing. Stoke the rhetoric get the supporters fired up. It was most likely deflection. Don’t focus on Liverpool’s form look over here at 2nd place City dominating the league. The media took it and ran with it.
2. I abhor everything about Munich chants, Hillsborough chants as much I detest some of the Irish women’s team singing up the Ra. It is borne of ignorance from a generation far removed from the horrors of which they sing. It’s disgusting and at best embarrassing. At worst it sullies the reputation of all supporters. Who enjoys taunting about tragedy? Would anyone chant about the Bradford fire, a school shooting or 9/11? It’s pathetic behaviour and needs to stop. No matter who you support those chants can never be justified.
3. Lost in the midst of the above is the fact that yet again both our bus was attacked and coins were thrown at Pep. This for me is hugely dangerous and will ultimately lead to serious harm. No doubt Liverpool had their statement on the chanting out quickly to get ahead of this but it is the most serious of the issues. If the rhetoric isn’t toned down things will get more violent and feral. In that context Klopp needs to be a lot more careful in what he says.
Finally I think the media have got Pep and Klopp’s images the wrong way round. Klopp is presented as a thoughtful, considered footballing revolutionary. Pep as an eccentric, a bit bad tempered, ruthless and a bad loser, he doesn’t promote young players and has largely succeeded as a cheque book manager.
Of late Klopp has shown his true colours, bitter, angry and struggling to adapt his team. Pep on the other hand is in the process of remaking his team and building his 2nd great City team. He is pretty gracious to every side we play, he has been generous with his team and has promoted a number of worthwhile causes. Pep’s legacy will be a transformation in how teams play. Klopp? What’s his going to be? Work hard, hoof it forward, cross and rely on genius from Mane or Salah?