He well and truly knocked Liverpool off their perch, but Sir Alex Ferguson is worried that’s about to change.
The former Manchester United manager, who won 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups and two Champions League crowns in his 26 years at Old Trafford, has done something he never did while in the Old Trafford dugout – praised his Liverpool counterpart.
Ferguson seems genuinely impressed by Jurgen Klopp’s impact at Anfield, and tips Liverpool to be in strong contention this season for the Premier League title.
The 74-year-old’s take on Liverpool could also be read as reflecting poorly on United’s current state. Ferguson speaks about “big clubs” losing enthusiasm, failing to build an identity and changing managers regularly.
It could be argued United have experienced all of this in the three years since Ferguson retired.
“He has done a really good job and revived Liverpool’s enthusiasm,” Ferguson told German magazine Kicker.
“It can happen that big clubs lose it. For two decades, Liverpool changed managers without building their own identity.”
“You can now well and truly sense that you have to count them in this year. You can see Klopp’s dedication on the sideline, I’m convinced his work in training is similar. He’s a strong personality. That’s absolutely vital at a big club.
“I’m worried about him because the one thing United don’t want is Liverpool to get above us.”
Liverpool are currently joint top of the table with Manchester City and Arsenal with 20 points, six ahead of United in seventh place.
There’s still three-quarters of the season to play, but Klopp’s side do look further ahead in their development than Jose Mourinho’s United.
Will the German be the man to finally put Liverpool back on their perch?
