Klopp not afraid of losing Liverpool job despite wave of departures

Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp looks on during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on January 14, 2023. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

Jurgen Klopp says he is not afraid of the axe after a spate of Premier League casualties but admits struggling Liverpool must deliver as he prepares his team to face managerless Chelsea.

Liverpool, who fell agonisingly short of winning an unprecedented quadruple last season, are eight points off the top four after Saturday’s painful 4-1 loss at defending champions Manchester City.

Klopp takes his team to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday after the weekend sacking of Graham Potter, hours after Leicester parted ways with Brendan Rodgers.

Antonio Conte left Tottenham “by mutual agreement” last week.

There have now been 13 managerial departures in the English top flight this season — a new record.

“I think the elephant in the room is probably why I am still sitting here in this crazy world,” Klopp said at his pre-match press conference on Monday. “Last man standing.”

The German admitted the current season had been a disappointment for the club, who are used to winning silverware.

“I’m aware of the fact that I’m sitting here because of the past and not because of what we did this season,” said Klopp. “If this was my first season it would be slightly different.”

But he said he was not fearful over the future, even though his team, eighth in the table, face an uphill task to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

“I don’t think that Graham was afraid but there’s no need to be afraid,” he said. “I’m here to deliver. I’m not here as a talisman or for murals on a house wall.

“I’m