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A press conference that began with an apology for his not so great English ended with the media and everyone watching absolutely spellbound. Jurgen Klopp’s first press conference after being confirmed Liverpool’s new manager had humility and arrogance in equal measure. What else can you call a press conference where he called himself ‘The Normal One’ first and then said that he could lead Liverpool to the Premier League title in the next four years?
Klopp is an emotional man, as he exhibited when he was the manager of Borussia Dortmund. And Liverpool is an emotional club, all through. Klopp knows that getting Liverpool back to the higher echelons of European football is going to be a big challenge. But, it is a challenge that he is ready to embrace.
“The intensity of Liverpool Football Club and everything that surrounds it – the players, the fans, the owners is what attracted me here. It will be a challenge for me, but I know that the challenge is not as difficult as some people think it will be.”
The 48-year-old German, who has had successful spells at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund previously, called himself very lucky to be in the hot seat at Anfield. He has made no secret of his admiration for Liverpool and its fans ever since he led Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly at Anfield in August 2014.
“I'm a football romantic. I love all the stories. Anfield is one of the best places in the football world. Obviously I was with two very special clubs in Germany in Mainz and Dortmund, but for me, Anfield has the best atmosphere in the world.” – Klopp
What kind of football will Klopp’s Liverpool play?
Klopp was quizzed about whether he would get this Liverpool side playing the same “high-throttle football”, as he called it, at Dortmund. The German was a bit more reserved in his response.
“I cannot talk too much about the football that we’re going to play. I haven’t met the players yet, and the players don’t know me,” he said.
“So, we will work over the next few days, and maybe before next weekend, I will be able to give you an answer. But, I can tell you one thing, we will play emotional football. It is important the players show that they respect the fans.”
“In the 90 minutes, we must make people forget about their other problems and get them to talk about us. If our football gives them joy, I will be the happiest person. Dortmund had a very special set of fans, and I had a special connect with them. I am confident that the same will happen at Liverpool as well.”
Can Liverpool win their first ever Premier League title?
There was also the inevitable question about Liverpool not having won a league title since 1990, and the German was very direct in his response.
“Everyone who has been at the club in the past 25 years has tried their best, but it hasn’t worked out. So, now is a very good time for us to restart. The players will come back next week, and I will talk to them about football, and then we will work out what to do.
“The Premier League is a difficult league to win. There are 6-7 quality sides capable of winning the league, and for the others, it looks like a disaster. But, if I’m still here in four years, I’m sure we would have won a league title.”
Klopp is only the third non-British manager in Liverpool’s history and had a few words and chuckles for the British media. “I have heard from a lot of people about the British media. It is up to you to show me that they are liars.”
With all the frenzy around him, Klopp was asked if he would describe himself as anything, like Jose Mourinho famously called himself the ‘Special One’. He said, “Do I like a guy who can do wonders? I’m just a normal guy. So, if you really want a name, maybe I’ll call myself ‘The Normal One’.”
Jurgen Klopp has shown with his work at Mainz and Dortmund that he is anything but normal. He is an emotionally charged man. A brilliant thinker. A person who lives football. Also, he has proved time and again, he has his way with the words as well.
If his first press conference as Liverpool manager is anything to go by, then Liverpool fans better buckle up. This is going to be one hell of a ride.
