Big Reds win yields signing boosts, stark United contrast

ONLY 24 hours after Jose Mourinho took the opportunity to praise opposition players and admit his team were no longer among world football’s elite; Jurgen Klopp delivered a polar opposite post-game assessment.

Liverpool’s boss spoke glowingly of his players after their 4-0 win over Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League as he appeared the antithesis of the maligned Manchester United boss.

The contrast between the two bosses, and their team’s performances this season, is fairly apparent – manifested in an eight-position gulf on the Premier League table.

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“A massive contrast, it’s chalk and cheese really,” United legend Rio Ferdinand said on BT Sport.

“That’s a squad full of confidence and the manager feeding off that and then feeding the players more confidence through giving them the good vibes and congratulating them on performances. In the other stadium it’s a little bit different.”

A rampant Reds outfit, spearheaded by a rekindled front three connection that saw Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah (2) and Sadio Mane all find the net, dismantled Red Star at Anfield.

Question marks over their supposedly-fading rhythm were addressed, at least for now, as Klopp cheekily quipped “hopefully it won’t be the last time they score in the same game this season.”

Over at rivals United, Mourinho is a man firmly in the crosshairs. Pressure continues to mount on the manager as disappointing results remain seemingly constant. Every presser brings wonderment over what explanation he can muster for his team’s showing.

Individuals are pinpointed for their weaknesses in public forums as rumours of squad rifts remain a persistent feature of the column inches.

Things couldn’t be more different on Merseyside.

“How do you not want to play for a manager like Klopp?” former Liverpool star John Arne Riise said.

“He’s so positive. He talks to you, he hugs you, he gives you confidence and helps you grow as a player and a person.”

His positive tactics in man management appear to be reaping benefits with his squad, in an approach that perhaps bizarrely is seldom present in the cutthroat world of top-class football management.

“It’s great to hear a manager who’s actually congratulating players on their performance and seems genuinely pleased and excited by the performances the players are producing for him,” Ferdinand suggested in an almost surprised manner.

This victory, while important for a valuable three points and a front three renaissance, also shapes as a catalyst for a pair of new signings. Xherdan Shaqiri was “involved in everything” according to his manager as he continued his strongest period since joining the club from Stoke for what appears a measly £13m (A$23m).

“Looks like a bargain doesn’t he? He was brilliant,” opined Steve McManaman.

Fellow recruit Fabinho made just his second start for the club and first in the Champions League in the win, as he showed just why the Reds splashed out over £43m (A$78m) to sign him from Monaco. The Brazilian had 96 touches, made nine tackles, 72 passes and won 100 per cent of his six aerial duels.

Many have wondered why both arrivals had been used sparingly since their switches to Anfield, but Klopp has remained insistent over his strategies to get them firing and his unwillingness to expose them appears to have worked a treat.

“It’s all down to Klopp giving people the time to develop into his system of playing,” Riise added.

“He [Shaqiri] wasn’t ready at the start of the season but he’s trained, played a few games here and there and now you can see the result.”

While people continue to criticise a United setup that appears to be stifling some of its biggest stars, the Reds are thriving under the caring touch of Klopp.

Mourinho has failed to get Romelu Lukaku (£75m, A$136m) and Alexis Sanchez (swap deal) firing, as big name stars have turned in a string of underwhelming performances – to the point where they barely resemble the world-beating players that warranted the club to splurge massively to bring them to Old Trafford.

While even relatively cheap arrivals are turning into stars at Liverpool.

Andy Robertson (£8m, A$14m), Joe Gomez (£4.5m, A$8.21m) and James Milner (free) as well as the likes of Shaqiri have all become recognised contributors in a Reds side that is competing with Europe’s elite.

“What he seems to be doing to every single player who comes through the door at Liverpool, he improves them,” Ferdinand pointed out.

Perhaps the Special One should take a page out of his rival’s book.