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Klopp set to deal Van Gaal’s final blow

Klopp set to deal Van Gaal’s final blow. Manchester United fans must be sick of Jurgen Klopp already. His passion-filled sprints down the touchline during Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Arsenal, in which Joe Allen’s late equaliser grabbed a point for the home side, should strike right at the nerves of any supporter who follows the Red Devils. The night before, Van Gaal showed a glimmer of emotion prior to his side throwing away three points against Newcastle in another six-goal draw.

It only takes a quick Twitter check after any Liverpool match to see how quickly the fans have identified with Klopp during his first three months in charge. Have United fans ever felt so connected to Van Gaal? This question will become more prominent during Sunday’s clash between the northern rivals.

Things could be about to get very emotional for Van Gaal, who heads to Anfield for a second season needing a major result. Juan Mata’s heroics won the points last year, and helped United claim a Champions League place, but there’s no sign of the same relieve repeating itself.

Just like his predecessor David Moyes, Van Gaal might find his final act as Red Devils boss plays out on Merseyside. Nobody will be surprised if he bows out with a poor result against United’s bitter rivals.

Van Gaal’s exit would be overdue, too. His tenure has been on borrowed time for months, but United appear to be wary of becoming a club who sack managers. LvG got through the Christmas calls for his head, even with Jose Mourinho’s reported interest in the job. However, the draw with Newcastle once again underlined the fragility of his team, and indeed the relationship he possesses with the club’s fans.

United’s early season form (in which they were within touching distance of top), was defined by solid defending. Chris Smalling was a juggernaut up until the trip to Newcastle. Both he and David De Ga can be marked as the side’s two most important players, but with Van Gaal now focusing on attack, the success of both is looking under threat.

Exciting attacking football came from both sides at St. James’ Park, led by Wayne Rooney’s fantastic performance for the visitors. Van Gaal’s back four decided to crumble, though, leaving the team chasing a Champions League place behind unlikely sides such as West Ham United and (less surprisingly) Tottenham Hotspur. You’d forgive Red Devils fans for looking down the table, rather than up.

Klopp will be ready to deal one final blow to Van Gaal’s time at Old Trafford. He’s managed to shape Liverpool up well for matches against the elite, as we saw during the side’s fantastic performance in the recent draw with Arsenal. Klopp’s men press high, pass quickly and get forward in numbers without leaving the defence exposed. Teething problems are always going to happen, but his style of play and character already looks to have made a difference to Liverpool’s chances. Certainly more so than Van Gaal has managed with his mystifying “philosophy.”

We’re likely to witness images of stark contrast if United falter against their rivals; with Klopp bouncing his way along the sideline while Van Gaal glumly looks at his notepad. If the camera pans out, we might even see the famed Grim Reaper who overlooked Moyes during his final thumping in the hot seat.

Don’t expect Van Gaal to give anything away though, even if his side somehow manage to prove the doubters wrong.