Jurgen Klopp was tickled by one of his coaches turning up for an interview in a suit, especially as it was the complete opposite of what he knew from another colleague.
Klopp is leaving the club this summer with seven members of his coaching staff, and more could follow as Liverpool undergo a significant season of change.
Assistant goalkeeping coach Jack Robinson is one of the figures to move on after almost six years at Anfield, and Klopp will clearly never forget his first impression of him.
The accompanying video interview of Melwood and Robinson was the subject of discussion as part of the club’s farewell content, ‘The Last Debrief’ – which features all departing coaches.
But it was what he wore that drew Klopp into a roar of laughter, as he explained: “We were all sitting in the coaching room and Jack came in to get his, what’s it called? First conversation. And he was wearing a suit!”
Between bursts of laughter, the German added: “I mean, he’s a goalkeeper! They do strange things, but we’re used to other goalkeepers (points to John Achterberg), obviously.
“And he shows up in a suit!”
Pep Lijnders, who sat between Robinson and Vitor Matos throughout the video, added: “First question, can you really shoot left and right (leg)? Or did you just turn it around?”
Robinson, who played with James Milner at under-16 level, was clearly impressed with his ability, yet he couldn’t avoid the spotlight to go straight back to his clothes.
Klopp explained: “We watched the video and he was like a perfect footballer! I said, ‘Why isn’t he playing’? He can shoot with his left, he can shoot with his right. He is amazing.
“And then this guy looks like he wants to sell insurance! You still don’t fit into that suit, do you?”
The answer to that was, “Not quite in that suit anymore, no!”
Either way, Robinson clearly made the right impression to land the job and work alongside Klopp and Co for nearly six years.
His departure, along with Achterberg’s, has created new vacancies for Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes to fill this summer.
