Five reasons why Liverpool are better off with Klopp over Rodgers despite the statistics

1. The balance of Klopp’s team.

Neither Rodgers’s nor Klopp’s team were well-balanced at all. Balance has been in issue under both their spells at the club and their attacking players have always tended to maintain the most quality. However, Klopp has done a better job with balancing his team altogether, even if attack remains the primary source of talent in the side.

Last season, goals came from a variety of players. Liverpool’s front three of Coutinho, Firmino, and Mane were all great threats to the defense of their opposition, but their midfielders certainly pitched in on the goal scoring front as well. Adam Lallana, Gini Wijnaldum, and Emre Can bagged 20 goals between them, and Liverpool’s front three drew most of the headlines, the performances of their midfielders was crucial to their top four finish.

Under Rodgers, Suarez’s partnership with Sturridge was crucial to the success of his side and their contention for the title in 2014. Liverpool’s play revolved nearly entirely around the two forwards. The recovery of Suarez’s transfer to Barcelona was beyond Rodgers’ side and results dwindled the following season.

Had Coutinho transferred to Barcelona, Liverpool would undoubtedly lost quality, but the transfer would not have nearly done as much harm to Klopp’s side. The creativity of Mane, Coutinho, Firmino, and Salah are all adequate alternatives. Rodgers’s side did not have the variety of options. He placed far too much weight on Luis Suarez.