Gary Lineker has jumped to the defence of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in the wake of the Reds' desolate derby defeat to Everton at Anfield.
Goals from Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson secured a relatively comfortable 2-0 for Carlo Ancelotti's Blues, the first win over their Merseyside neighbours away from home this century and the first derby triumph anywhere in over a decade.
It condemned Liverpool to a fourth successive Premier League defeat, putting their hopes of a top four finish and Champions League qualification in further doubt, and a fourth consecutive league loss at Anfield for the first time since 1923.
Since the 7-0 win at Crystal Palace on 19 December which strengthened Liverpool's position at the top of the table, the Reds have lost six out of 11 Premier League matches and are arguably at their lowest point during Klopp's tenure.
Inevitably the German coach has come in for stick from some fans on the internet, but Lineker believes such criticism is unwarranted.
The former England and Everton striker was responding to a tweet from Times football correspondent Henry Winter, which read "Klopp’s the best thing to happen to #lfc in years. Rebuilt team, rebuilt belief, transformed club behind the scenes, sports science, nutrition etc.
"Won European Cup and the title, playing fabulous football. Klopp’s absolutely the right man to lead them through this current storm."
Lineker replied : "If anyone doubts that, then they don’t have a clue."
Winter responded to Lineker's reply by saying, "You know him, you know how key he is to Liverpool. Crazy anyone would question that."
Despite Liverpool's poor run, they currently sit in sixth place with thirteen league matches still to play.
And the Reds will be looking to get back to winning ways when they travel to bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United next Sunday (7.15pm kick off).
