Mr Dependable. Old Ragnar just comes in, does a job and then drops back out again without a fuss. Because he’s Estonian, in his 30s and cost a relative pittance, it goes under the radar that he’s pretty damn good on the quiet. For a fourth choice centre back he’s great. I’d probably take him over the fourth choice at most of our rivals.
He had a good season overall. Like everyone else, he had some unconvincing moments in the first half of the season when we were leaking goals, but very few of the goals could be pinned on him. In the second half of the season when the team's defending improved, he slotted in with minimum disruption.
Unlike with many back up players, when I see a team sheet with his name on it, I’m not worried in the slightest as the drop off between him and the first choice player he's coming in for is not great.
As much as I like arl ‘Raggy’ though, I can’t get on board with Klopp’s description of him as a ‘genius’. Yes, he actually said that. He reckons Klavan is a genius who everyone wants on their team in five a sides, and that if he believed in himself as much as Klopp believes in him he’d be world class. He said similar about Dejan Lovren too, only without the ‘genius’ bit.
Klopp’s over the top praise notwithstanding, Klavan is a really good pro who knows the game inside out. His decision making is good and he’s always calm and composed. His passing is decent, he’s quicker than people probably think and being left footed he gives us a nice balance. He’s hardly ever injured either (he missed a few weeks with a bad illness but he’s usually available when needed).
Every squad needs players like Klavan.
Best Moment:
Scoring a stoppage time winner at Burnley.
Worst Moment:
Did he have any really bad moments? Help me out here, I'm drawing a blank.
Rating:
7/10. Steady, dependable, reliable.
The Future?
With everyone seemingly wanting to see Joe Gomez get a chance at centre back, Klavan is the obvious one to make way. I don’t think he will though. Klopp loves him and Ragnar seems happy enough with his role at the club. We should keep him as he’s playing around 20 games a season, not least because Matip is always getting injured. Would you feel as confident about Gomez stepping in and doing a job to the standard Ragnar does? I wouldn’t, not yet anyway. We’ve got a young squad so it doesn’t hurt having an old experienced head around the place.
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