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Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp used his farewell appearance with fans to take a voluntary jab at his Premier League rivals with Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea in the firing line.
The 56-year-old attended a question-and-answer session at the M&S Bank Arena in the city and spoke freely – although not too freely after revealing he had been given a list of topics classified as off-limits – to the 10,000 capacity sell-out crowd.
Klopp said he was told to stay away from “(broadcaster) TNT – no discussion on 1230; judges; we don’t talk about Man City – I don’t know why; we don’t talk about financial things – I don’t know why; VAR”.
However, when asked by Comedian comedian John Bishop about the prospect of Liverpool winning two more Premier League titles if City were to be stripped of their honors if any of the 115 allegations of financial irregularities were proven, Klopp said: “If you organize a bus the parade I’m in. How long it takes, I don’t care how long.”
The German was also asked about the support he received from the owner of Fenway Sports Group, which was often a strong point of contention among fans who felt that the Americans did not give the manager enough financial support.
“Owners do what owners do,” he said. “Surprise! The owners want to make money. Sorry to tell you that.
“It’s not that they make money on a daily basis: they invest something and that’s how the whole world goes.
“We should be really happy to have them, not the guys who bought the London clubs. I wouldn’t have survived a year in Liverpool (with them).
“Finally they (Chelsea) are playing football where everyone thinks ‘Oh, maybe they’ll come back’ and then they still fire the manager.
“The owners feel responsible for the club. Are they the best in the world? I don’t know, I can’t say. But they worked really hard. I felt supported.”
Klopp was also asked about his famous management style.
“If the whole world loses confidence and faith in a player, the manager has to be the one behind the player,” he added.
“I can’t just accept ‘he’s useless’, like other clubs have done – buying a player for £80m (ie Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho) and then sending him out on loan!
Arne Slott, the coach of Feyenoord, should officially take over on Saturday.
Klopp has spoken to him and his team from the sidelines but does not believe the Dutchman will need any more advice.
They asked him how the conversation went. “S**t!” he joked.
“It was a really good conversation. I have spoken to almost everyone on the new management team. He is a really good manager. Arne has my number and can call me – I don’t think that’s necessary,” he added.
“There is a really good base for the next manager. We have already helped the new manager by not winning everything. Can you imagine if we won the top four this year? ‘Great’.”
Klopp managed to contain his emotions as he said goodbye to Anfield after the final match of the season against Wolves.
However, he was moved to tears when the arena stood as one and chanted “I’m so glad Jurgen is red” (sung to the tune of The Beatles’ I Feel Fine) before saying his final goodbye.
He will continue to be an ambassador for the LFC Foundation, with proceeds from the evening going to the club’s charities to benefit its own projects and those in the wider community.
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