Jurgen Klopp will step down as the manager of Liverpool after the 2023/24 season, so Rousing The Kop has looked at his most memorable quotes and rants while at Anfield.
The German has produced more than his fair share of legendary quips since Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers in October 2015. But his days on Merseyside are nearly over after deciding to call time on a tenure that has put many pieces in silverware to Liverpool’s trophy cabinet.
Klopp brought silverware back to Anfield in the Champions League, the Premier League, the EFL Cup and the FA Cup during his almost nine-year reign. But as well as bringing his heavy-metal football, Klopp proved he is one of the most charismatic characters on any touchline.
His way with words has also helped to forge the icon that Klopp leaves behind at Liverpool when he departs. So, as the tactician prepares to part with the Merseyside giants, Rousing The Kop has looked at Klopp’s most memorable quotes from throughout his Liverpool reign.
Managing Liverpool ‘felt right’ from the off for Jurgen Klopp
Managing Liverpool ‘felt right’ from the very start for Klopp after learning of their interest in 2015. The Reds identified the German as the coach they wanted to replace Rodgers after he enjoyed a four-month sabbatical after leaving Borussia Dortmund after seven seasons there.
“There was a lot of interest,” he said in February 2020. “I had to make a holiday first. I heard from my agent that Liverpool is interested and I felt immediately, ‘Oh god’.
“It’s like when I met my wife. I saw her and thought, ‘Okay, I marry her’, and it was like that with the club. It felt right from the first moment.”
Jurgen Klopp nicknamed himself the ‘normal one’ after taking over Liverpool
Straight from the off, Klopp gave a teaser of the iconic lines he would deliver as the manager of Liverpool. Asked in his first press conference in charge of the Reds what his nickname is akin to Jose Mourinho’s self-proclaimed ‘special one’ title, Klopp opted for the ‘normal one’.
“I don’t want to describe myself,” Klopp began in October 2015. “Does anyone in this room think I can do wonders? No? I’m a very normal guy.
“I came from the Black Forest and my mother may be sitting in front of the TV, watching this press conference and has said no word until now. But she is very proud. So, I’m the totally normal guy. I’m the normal one, maybe, if you want this [nickname].”
Jurgen Klopp jovially bit back at concerns over a lack of rest
Liverpool gifted themselves a chance to make the last 32 of the Europa League in November 2015 by winning 1-0 at Rubin Kazan. But a midweek trip to Russia sparked concerns that the Reds would not get the time to rest before hosting Crystal Palace at Anfield three days later.
Yet Klopp jovially bit back at the concerns that a trip to Kazan would be a problem. Although Crystal Palace did then win on their visit to Merseyside, with Yannick Bolasie (21’) and Scott Dan (82’) scoring on either side of Reds star Philippe Coutinho (42’) rippling the Eagles’ net.
“It’s ok. They flew, they didn’t walk,” Klopp said in November 2015. “We slept on the plane. Matt [McCann, Liverpool’s head of press] slept the whole way!”
Jurgen Klopp joked the linesman refused to let Alberto Moreno score
Liverpool lost 2-0 at Newcastle United in December 2015 but thought they had scored when Alberto Moreno chipped Rob Elliot. The linesman, however, incorrectly raised his flag to call for offside, which ruled out the equaliser. Yet Klopp saw the funny side, despite their defeat.
Klopp said after the game: “We got our goal. But because we weren’t good enough today, the linesman thought, ‘Well, you don’t make world-class goals if you play this [way]!’”
Jurgen Klopp forced Sport1 to scrap ‘Klopp cam’ for his return to BVB
Klopp returned to Borussia Dortmund for the first time as the manager of Liverpool in April 2016 for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final. German broadcaster Sport1 even planned for a camera to follow the coach all match. But ‘Klopp cam’ would not see kick-off.
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“You see how crazy the world is?” Klopp queried ahead of the game. “If someone is silly enough to want to see my face for 90 minutes during a game, I cannot change the world.
“I can’t believe it is like this. But if it is true, I have to think about whether I will really talk with this television station in my life again. I’m pretty sure I will not, if I don’t have to.”
Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool’s ‘mentality giants’ after beating FC Barcelona
Liverpool witnessed a miracle in May 2019 as Klopp’s side came from 3-0 behind to beat FC Barcelona 4-3 in a Champions League semi-final. So caught up in the emotions of one of the greatest comebacks the UEFA tournament has ever seen, Klopp could not contain his pride.
“It’s 10 past 10, most of the children are probably already in bed,” Klopp said after the tie. “But these boys are mentality giants! It’s unbelievable! I don’t have better words for it!
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“The whole game. The whole performance was too much. It was overwhelming. I watched in my life so many football games but I can’t remember many like this.”
Jurgen Klopp warned only ‘silly idiots’ don’t bounce back from setbacks
Klopp led Liverpool to the EFL Cup final during his first four months in charge of the Anfield outfit. Yet the Reds lost 3-1 on penalties to Manchester City at Wembley after a 1-1 draw in normal time. But Klopp responded by warning that only ‘silly idiots’ refuse to bounce back.
“You always have to strike back,” Klopp exclaimed after the defeat. “We can say all of these things but you know you can fall down and then you have to stand up. That’s the truth. But it’s completely normal, only silly idiots stay on the floor and wait for the next defeat.”
While Philippe Coutinho could be sold, the ‘soul’ of Liverpool cannot
Liverpool agreed to sell Coutinho to Barcelona in January 2018 for an initial £105m, rising to £142m. The Brazilian was having a great season with seven goals and six assists in his last 14 Premier League games. But while Coutinho left, Klopp said Liverpool’s ‘soul’ would never.
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“I have been here long enough now to know in the history of Liverpool,” Klopp stated. “Key players have left before but the club always goes on. You cannot transfer the heart and soul of Liverpool Football Club, although I’m sure there are many clubs who would like to buy it.”
Anfield is the essence of European nights for Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool reached their first Champions League final under Klopp in 2017/18 before losing in Kyiv to Real Madrid. The Reds’ route to UEFA’s showcase game left a huge impression on the German, though. Anfield especially made an impression on Klopp for its special atmosphere.
“Going to the final, we all enjoyed these moments together,” Klopp said in May 2018. “The home crowd was really good and European nights [are] special.
“If you had Wikipedia or Google and put in ‘European nights’ the answer must be Anfield. That’s really cool, being [a] part of that. And even at the away games it was outstanding.”