DANNY MURPHY: No fear of a fall like United’s after Fergie… as Jurgen Klopp admits he won’t make an Anfield U-turn with Manchester United battling post-Fergie era

Despite the shock about Jurgen Klopp‘s impending departure, it doesn’t mean Liverpool need to suffer the same trauma Manchester United had in trying to replace Sir Alex Ferguson.

I think the news will galvanise the players for the rest of this season and I wouldn’t be surprised if Xabi Alonso is confirmed before the summer transfer window for an orderly transition.

Players tend to think selfishly. They clearly get on well with Klopp, but will also be aware of having to impress the next manager. 

Whoever that is will study every Liverpool match before making decisions for the following season.

If any player doesn’t apply themselves in the same way they did before hearing about Jurgen, the only person they will end up hurting is themselves.

Along with Pep Guardiola, Klopp has been a hugely transformative figure in English football

If anything, you might see an even higher intensity and performance level, starting against Norwich today in the FA Cup. It could be galvanising. 

There are no guarantees when somebody as successful, charismatic and popular as Klopp goes. But FSG have made three managerial appointments — Kenny Dalglish, Brendan Rodgers and Klopp — and all have been successful in their own way in getting the club back from a very low ebb in 2010.

The difference between Liverpool in 2024 and United and Arsenal a decade ago is that Fergie and Arsene Wenger had the final say on everything at their clubs. They had been there for 20 years and were part of an era when managers were all-powerful. But football has changed.

Although other staff are leaving with the manager, the hierarchy have built a structure that is not reliant on any single individual. 

You felt everything at United ran through Fergie, which left an enormous vacuum when he stepped down. Football does not work like that any more.

One of the…