After Saturday night’s Champions League success and the first trophy of the Klopp era, Liverpool are best prepared of the English clubs to dominate over the next five years, according to Kevin Kilbane.
Kilbane was on Tuesday’s OTB AM to review the Champions League final and said that Klopp’s reputation and relationship with his players will be attracting the best players from across world football.
The success of Virgil Van Dijk in a Liverpool jersey, Kilbane said, is already testament to Klopp's ability to attract players despite competing with offers from England's wealthier clubs.
“Van Dijk was offered a lot more money to go to Man City and a lot more money to go to Chelsea, yet he chose to go to Liverpool and there's a reason for that, that's the manager.
“I think that's going to be the case across world football any player that is going to the Premier League you are going to want to go to Liverpool.”
While Guardiola’s reputation for improving players that last five or 10 percent to become world-class players will always have currency in attracting the world’s up-and-coming talent, Kilbane believes that Klopp’s abilities and reputation can now trump that.
“If you've got the choice to go to Man City or Liverpool, I think now you're going to choose to play for Klopp. [Because] you can see the relationship he has with his players.”
Hence, with “one or two more signings” Kilbane expects Liverpool can dominate the domestic and European landscape for the near-future.
“I think Liverpool have to be favourites now given what will happen and what's about to happen over the next year at Man City”, Kilbane theorised.
“If Man City are still in Europe or they are excluded from Europe, whichever way it is going to be, there will be questions constantly asked of that team and that will set in around the club. I think it's going to have a negative effect on the team.”
In contrast to Man City where questions of governance and wrongdoing are plaguing the club from the top, Liverpool have done everything right according to Kilbane and therefore best set to excel while City continue to face scrutiny.
“Liverpool are in the best place to dominate over the next four or five years. That is without a doubt. Whether they could add another Champions League or two to that but the Premier League is the one they want.
“They have to win a Premier League or two over the next few years, but I think it can be done and I think they will do it.”
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