Klopp uses Scott Parker’s sacking to aim a dig at ‘country-owned’ Man City, Chelsea and Newcastle
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has hit out at Bournemouth‘s owners after they sacked Scott Parker, feeling the former midfielder was ‘set up’ for failure after a lack of transfer activity.
The Reds hammered the Cherries 9-0 at Anfield on Saturday in what turned out to be Parker’s final game in charge after being relieved of his duties on Tuesday morning.
The German boss labelled the decision to sack the 41-year-old ‘unbelievable’ and reiterated his comments after their huge victory at the weekend that Parker was an ‘outstanding’ manager.
He then appeared to take a dig at Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle as ‘country-owned’ clubs – who have made big-name signings again this summer – insisting ‘it’s set up for a new manager if you have nervous owners’.
‘When I heard [the Scott Parker news] today I realised how important it is in this moment to have the right owners at the football club,’ Klopp said.
‘Some clubs are owned by countries but others have a structure like us and maybe Arsenal.
‘Then three teams who came up, Nottingham [Forest] are spending, Fulham are and I can’t remember Bournemouth doing a lot, which is difficult for a coach. I felt for Scott.
‘In the first 4 games they had Arsenal, City and Liverpool – it’s set up for a new manager if you have nervous owners. I think Scott is an outstanding manager.’
Parker had voiced his frustrations with Bournemouth’s activity in the transfer market this summer – despite signing five players – insisting his young team are ‘underequipped’ to take on the challenges of the Premier League after earning promotion last season.
Liverpool meanwhile have made just three additions this summer, including £85million striker Darwin Nunez along with youngsters Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay.
There have also been calls for Liverpool to sign a midfielder before Thursday’s deadline amid their injury crisis, with Klopp admitting they are still in the market to sign one.
But when asked if he felt backed by Liverpool’s FSG owners, Klopp replied: ‘Let me say it like this, from time to time, I would like to risk a bit more [in the market] but I don’t decide that.
‘We have a great team and we will really try to squeeze everything out of this season.
‘I am not careful, we get told what is possible and what isn’t. That’s it. In this range we try to work it.
‘There’s no criticism, we became champions in a season when we didn’t sign anyone. We have an existing team as well. All the players we have here we want to be here.
‘I want to develop the club, the squad and be successful.’
