Jurgen Klopp and the seven-year curse: Journalist claims hoodoo is real as he makes big claim ahead of Liverpool v Ajax clash

Liverpool have been told they will not only need to overcome their current injury crisis to return to form, but also the seven-year curse that follows Jurgen Klopp around.

The Reds were in the running to win four trophies last season in what could have gone down as the greatest season in their illustrious history. As it was, they ended up winning ‘just’ the League Cup and the FA Cup. And while the Premier League title was always a stretch, their defeat in the Champions League final to Real Madrid left them with plenty of regret.

Despite that loss in the final – their third European final defeat of Klopp’s reign – the German is regarded as one of the greatest managers in their history.

Indeed, the club and their supporters will have been delighted by the news earlier this year when Klopp extended his contract. Initial due to expire in 2024, Klopp penned an extension to keep him on Merseyside until 2026.

Since the new season got underway, however, little has gone right for the Reds.

They have won just two of their six Premier League fixtures to date and currently sit seventh in the table. While still early days, they already sit five points behind Manchester City in second.

That has led to a suggestion that Liverpool can no longer be considered City’s main title rivals.

Since that claim, worse was to come with Liverpool destroyed 4-1 by Napoli in their last fixture. That Champions League loss was one of the worst since Klopp took charge at Anfield. And Jamie Carragher destroyed three of their stars for ‘playing like kids’ in losing to the Italians.

Jurgen Klopp seven-year curse theory explained

Liverpool, of course, have not been helped by a plethora of injuries this season. Their midfield has been badly affected with Thiago, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson among those sidelined already.

Indeed, the triumverate of Fabinho, Harvey Elliott and veteran James Milner struggled against the movement of Napoli’s midfield last week.

But their defence has also been hampered. Knocks to Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konata have left Liverpool having no choice but to play Joe Gomez alongside Virgil van Dijk in recent games. Gomez, especially, has struggled, though Van Dijk has also looked well below his best.

Andy Robertson is the latest player sidelined.

Liverpool now face a vital Champions League date with Ajax on Tuesday night. Failure to win will not be catastrophic. However, it will see more questions asked of the team who are struggling to get going this season.

Liverpool are Klopp’s third team of his managerial career. Previously in charge at Mainz and then Borussia Dortmund, he enjoyed plenty of success at both before those teams crumbled in his seventh season in charge.

Klopp is now in his seventh season in charge at Liverpool – and Amsterdam-based journalist Johan Inan is convinced the ‘curse’ has followed him to Anfield.

And Inan, speaking to PZC, claims this is the worst form he’s seen from Liverpool since Klopp’s appointment in October 2015.

“Liverpool are in their worst period under Jürgen Klopp’s management. Do you believe in his curse of seven years?” he said.

“At Mainz it was there. At Dortmund and now at Liverpool. Others again say that Liverpool have not yet become a team because of injuries.

“Fact is that the team is not rotating. I mainly think it is down to mutual alignment. They have not been at war strength yet.”

Liverpool certainly in a difficult moment

The clash with Ajax, as a result, is certainly a big one as far as Liverpool are concerned. While a loss would not make progress impossible, it would certainly leave few margins for error in their remaining games.

The Dutch side arrive at Anfield with something of a new-look from last season’s Eredivisie-winning side. Erik ten Hag has, of course, quit for Manchester United, taking with him Antony and Lisandro Martinez. Striker Sebastien Haller also departed for Borussia Dortmund.

However, Alfred Schreuder’s side are showing no signs of being affected. They boast six wins from six games in the Eredivisie, scoring 21 goals and conceding just three.

They also opened their Champions League account last week with a 4-0 trouncing of Rangers in Amsterdam.

As such, Liverpool will need to be on their guard and back to their best to win.

That will mean cutting out the defensive mistakes that have blighted them so far this season. To that end, Trent Alexander-Arnold, for one, will absolutely have wise up.

Ajax have their own new stars in the making too. Much is being made about Brian Brobbey, amid links to Manchester United.

And there is also another new star on the block – named Kenneth Taylor – with Fabrizio Romano warning Liverpool to keep an eye on.