'Not surprising': Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool reign questioned as talkSPORT presenter left stunned by 'crazy' claim
Former England star Danny Mills caused a stir by criticizing Jurgen Klopp's performance as Liverpool manager.
The boss of the Reds leave Anfield this summer after nine years in charge, winning every major trophy during what many consider a legendary reign at the club.
But former Leeds and Manchester City defender Mills is not convinced.
He left talkSPORT co-host Hugh Woozencroft picking his jaw off the floor by claiming Klopp is, essentially, overrated.
When Woozencroft suggested Liverpool have an all-time great in charge, Mills hit back, saying: “Well, they've won a Premier League in what, nine years? That was in a Covid year.
“That whole thing about 'Anfield is the best on the planet, the fans make a big difference.'
“The only time they won was without fans at Anfield. Turn it around, Klopp came second twice? So, first, second and second.
“Not the most surprising album!”
After speaking out about the sacking of Trent Alexander-Arnold Cheeky trophy digs at Man CityMills called the Liverpool star's comments “a bit disrespectful”.
Woozencroft pounced on his co-host's claim, saying: “You can't talk about disrespect, you were essentially just saying Jurgen Klopp It's not that good!”
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Mills looked Woozencroft square in the face and began doubling down on his original argument.
He said: “He's won a Premier League in nine years.”
Throwing his hands in the air in disbelief and with a smile on his face, Woozencroft intervened and said, “Alright, let's not talk about respect in that case! I'll leave you your opinion.”
“But you're saying Jurgen Klopp hasn't been a great manager, that's crazy!”
However, Mills repeated: “They have won a Premier League in nine years.”
Woozencroft responded: “Right, he's been absolutely brilliant for a number of seasons. (Getting) over 90 points, 95 points.
“I understand (he came second), but if you're up against the best of all time, well, the best team we've ever seen in the history of English football, does that mean you're not that good of a manager because you didn't beat them?
“It's not like we finished second to Leicester, then Brighton won the league and then Bournemouth “I won the league.”
Mills responded: “Yes, but Claudio Ranieri won it! Chelsea I won it. The coaches who came to Chelsea won it in their first season! “They were there for two seasons and won a Premier League.”
Woozencroft responded: “He took a club that hadn't won a trophy for 24, 25 years and managed to win a Premier League title with raw players coming out of the academy.”
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He continued: “I think it's fair to say that Chelsea were spending more money at the time than any other football club in Europe. Liverpool have never been in that category.”
Mills continued to double down, going on to say: “Liverpool have spent their fair share… Klopp has been very, very good, but he's not in Guardiola's domain.”
Woozencroft responded: “It seems crazy to me.”
Since 2015, Klopp has won one Champions League, one Premier League, one FA Cup and two League Cups with Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Guardiola, who joined Manchester City in 2016, has guided the club to one Champions League, five Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups.
Woozencroft was further baffled when Mills suggested he would struggle to place the Liverpool boss in his top 10 managers of the last decade.
Mills named Roberto Mancini and Unai Emery as bosses with better records than Klopp, along with Diego Simeone, Max Allegri and Zinedine Zidane.
The talkSPORT presenter put his hands in his head and said: “Guys… we're going to have to do it. I can't do it. I can see how many people are calling!”
Closing the debate, Woozencroft said: “We are moving towards manchester united and England next: I've had enough!”
