Houllier: Klopp can learn from my and Benitez's struggles with Man Utd and Arsenal

Gerard Houllier (right) steered Liverpool to UEFA Cup glory in 2001

GERARD HOULLIER says Jurgen Klopp faces the same struggles that he and Rafael Benitez faced when in charge of Liverpool.

 

Frenchman Houllier steered the Reds to a second-place finish in 2002 and won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup trophies during his six-year tenure.

Benitez, who took over the club after Houllier in 2004, also finished second - this time to Manchester United in 2009 - and also had trophy success in the Champions League and FA Cup.

 

After a three-year stint without a trophy in charge at Anfield, Brendan Rodgers - who steered Liverpool to yet another second-place finish in 2014 - was sacked this month and replaced by Klopp.

And Houllier believes the German has the right temperament to get Liverpool past that second-place jinx.

“I hope he does (win the league) because I’m a fan of Liverpool,” Houllier told BeIn Sports.

 

“Benitez finished second, I finished second as well but we never managed to get to that first place.

“In Benitez’s time it was Manchester United, in my time Arsenal were winning and they were on this undefeated run.

“It will be difficult (to win the league now) because Chelsea, Manchester City - the usual suspects - are always there.

“But at some stage the club will probably get bigger and win a title.”

 

Klopp takes charge of his first Liverpool game at Tottenham in today’s 12.45pm kick off.

The former Borussia Dortmund boss won two Bundesliga titles during his time in Germany and hauled the club to the Champions League final.