Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has defended Jurgen Klopp and the German tactician has come under some criticism of late with Liverpool struggling for consistency.
The two managers meet tomorrow at St. James’ Park with the Reds seeking their second league win of the year.
His first three points of 2023 came on Monday night against Everton at Anfield and a similar result tomorrow would move Klopp’s side six points behind fourth-placed Newcastle with one game remaining for the Magpies.
“It’s a manager’s life, really,” Howe said (via Football365). “People have very, very short memories. What he has done is incredible. The way his team has played for a consistent amount of time is unrivaled, which is why, to me, he is one of the all-time greats in the Premier League.
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“All teams go through difficult times, that’s the reality of being a coach.”
Howe deserves huge credit for the work he’s done so far at Newcastle – the Toon Army are poised to finish in the top four and have conceded just 13 league goals all season.
Their only Premier League defeat this season came in the reverse fixture at Anfield in August, which required an injury-time winner from Fabio Carvalho.
Howe’s side have only experienced one other defeat in all competitions this season – it was an FA Cup clash with Sheffield Wednesday last month – and the 45-year-old was asked about Klopp becoming a very big figure. angry when Liverpool taste defeat. .
He added: “If you’re a good loser, then you’re probably in the wrong job.”
Tomorrow’s clash is huge as far as the race for Champions League football is concerned.
A win puts us in contention for a top four spot in the second half of the season, while a loss means we’re up against each other.
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