"I Could See Klopp Managing Germany" - Vladimir Smicer

Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , Liverpool hero Vladimir Smicer has given his thought's on all things Liverpool defenders including whether Konate will sign a new contract and whether Gabriel or van Dijk is the better defender.

The Champions League-winner has given his thoughts on fellow midfielder Ryan Gravenberch and who he believes to be Liverpool's closest challengers for the Premier League.

Smicer speaks candidly about Jurgen Klopp leaving management and argues it would be hard to see him manage another Premier League side, but that he could be perfect for Germany.

Liverpool's Keepers

Mamardashvili

Giorgi Mamardashvili proved he's a very good goalkeeper, and I think we are safe, to be honest. To have Alisson and Mamardashvili in the team shows that our squad is really strong, and I think this is the time for him to show why Liverpool bought him, and he showed his class in Spain.

I saw him against Southampton; he did really well, he played well, and even in the Champions League was okay. I expect him to be strong in goal and a very good goalkeeper for us.

Liverpool's Defenders

Konate’s Conract Issues

We've seen this last season with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. Two players stayed, one went. Personally, I don't like this situation.

I think for the players, it's better when they know their future. At the moment, I can't see if Ibrahim Konate is sure about his next move. Anytime he's not performing at the top level, the fans question his contract situation. It's normal, it will always be like this.

If you commit your future, then the fans will say, ‘Okay, maybe he was not good today,’ but because the situation is like this, anytime he makes a mistake, they will say, ‘He will go,’ That will be in his head. We experienced this situation last season with three players, but personally, when I was playing, I always wanted a long-term contract.

It's better for your confidence, for your life, for your position in the team. I knew my future, and I committed to the team. I’d like Konate to decide as soon as possible whathe's going to do in the future.

Kerkez, Robertson, Rotation

Andy Robertson, with Kostas Tsimikas, wasn't really being pushed. Now he has Milos Kerkez to compete with.

He did really well at Bournemouth, and he is young, strong, very fast. Suddenly, Andy has raised his level when compared to last season. I think Andy is showing much more than last season, already in the few games he has played. I think it can only help the team. I know it's not really nice from the player's point of view.

Sometimes you feel more comfortable when you're sure you play every game, but competition moves the team forward altogether. Kerkez has had some injuries as well, and Andy stepped up and played; he has shown he's still there.

You can't write him off. He's done so many good things for Liverpool. He’s won all the trophies with Liverpool, and he's a fantastic player. I like him, and I'm really happy that he's still in the team and he's fighting for his place.

Gabriel vs van Dijk

Gabriel vs van Dijk

Liverpool were champions last season, with Virgil at the back. I really like him a lot. I was disappointed when he was voted 28th for the Ballon d’Or; I think he deserved much more.

When the three players were out of contract, I always said the first player I wanted to see sign was Virgil. If I had to choose which player I would want, number one for me was Virgil.

I think he's a leader, and he's showing that again this season. It's difficult to compare who is the best defender, but you can see how important they are to their teams. Virgil, I think, is a very important player. When you see the other central defenders, his position is most important for Liverpool, more important than Gabriel for Arsenal.

Ryan Gravenberch

Ryan Gravenberch

I think, definitely in the last season and a half, Ryan Gravenberch is the player that has improved the most. I think his improvement is very clear. He was playing really well last season and was voted into the Premier League's best XI, which was well deserved.

But at the start of this season, he's played even better for me. He's been brilliant. So far, along with Hugo Etikike and Virgil van Dijk, these three players are probably the most important for our team.

I'm very happy that we got Gravenberch, and he's playing so well. He's a fantastic player and still very young.

Title Race

Arsenal vs Liverpool

The biggest threat to Liverpool is definitely Arsenal. Arsenal is the most dangerous team competing with Liverpool for the Premier League, as they were last season. When I saw Arsenal at Newcastle, you could see why. There were some referee decisions against them, which happens in football, but in the end, they won the game.

You could see their desire and power. If they have this power to win games like this, they can be dangerous for us.

I'm very happy we beat them at Anfield; it was a very important win, especially in terms of Arsenal's ambitions. I think they made good signings. Martin Zubimendi is a very good signing. I think Arsenal are a team that can really cause problems.

Jurgen Klopp

Could Klopp Return To Management?

He was under immense pressure as Liverpool manager. That pressure probably became too much at the end, and he wanted some free time to enjoy with his family, stepping away from the daily grind of management.

Now, he's working for Red Bull, travelling the world, and offering advice. I think he's enjoying this period, free from the pressure. We'll see what the future holds. He's still young to completely leave management.

It would be difficult for him to manage another Premier League club, given his strong connection with Liverpool. I can't see him taking on Chelsea, Arsenal, or Manchester United.

I could see him as manager of the German national team. It's a different kind of work, not an everyday role. That's my prediction, one day we will see him managing a national team. It could be another German-speaking team, or even England. He knows the English players well, similar to Sven-Goran Eriksson's situation. We'll see.

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