Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is surely the undisputed king of the one-liner in the world of football. The German knows his way around a microphone and almost always has a brilliant answer for whatever question is thrown at him. Now that Jose Mourinho is no longer at Chelsea, one can imagine how much the English press will be drooling over the former Borussia Dortmund coach.He remains one of the most interesting personalities in the game, and over the years, he has delivered some really great quotes. Here are eight of the best extracts from the genius that is Klopp.
#1 I\'m more of a Heavy Metal kinda guy
Comparing himself to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, the Liverpool boss used music to get his point across. He somewhat praised the Gunners’ attractive style of play and offensive build up. But he also pointed out that he preferred a more direct approach.
No doubt Jose Mourinho must have loved this one, as the former Chelsea boss had a long-standing feud with Wenger. Has the Frenchman found a new enemy in Jurgen Klopp?
“He likes having the ball, playing football, passes. It’s like an orchestra. But it’s a silent song. But I like heavy metal more. I always want it loud.”
#2 Like bringing a knife to a gun fight
It’s hard to be successful when you’re in the same league as Bayern Munich. They have the best players and coach in the country, along with the financial resources to keep improving every season.
Always one for optimism, Klopp lamented on the gulf in class between the Bavarian club and Borussia Dortmund. But he still believed in his side’s chances against the Bundesliga giants.
"We have a bow and arrow and if we aim well, we can hit the target. The problem is that Bayern has a bazooka. But then Robin Hood was quite successful."
#3 I\'m not even supposed to be here
When a smaller club does well – in Dortmund’s case, wins the Bundesliga – the bigger clubs will obviously come knocking. And Jurgen Klopp’s team was no exception. He lost several key players such as Robert Lewandoski, Shinji Kagawa and Mario Gotze to clubs that were financially well off.
But he still remained upbeat in spite of his team being crippled one player at a time. Basically, he described himself as an over-achiever with nothing to lose.
"I got more in life than I was ever supposed to get – family, money, football. None of my teachers, or my parents, ever believed this would happen to me. So how can this perfect life of mine be spoilt because they take our players?"
#4 Well, he could have at least tried
Despite having the perfect life after losing players, the German coach couldn’t help but take a shot at then-rival Pep Guardiola after losing Mario Gotze to Bayern Munich. Apparently, Gotze has a thing for short Spanish coaches and/or women.
Klopp, who at some point underwent a hair transplant, did not seem to entertain the idea of changing anything else in his life. Well, except for jobs of course.
"He's leaving because he's Guardiola's favourite. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine. I can't make myself shorter and learn Spanish."
#5 Referee mistake quota
Jurgen Klopp was once sent off for an incredible touchline assault on a fourth official while his Borussia Dortmund team played Napoli in the Champions League. He was incensed at the fact that one of his players was prevented from returning to the game after treatment due to having a bit of blood on his plaster.
He felt that his player could have been let in earlier, even more so when his team conceded a goal during his absence.
Klopp claims to have apologized to the official, but still beams with pride every time he remembers his first red card.
"I'm a bit proud of my first red card as a coach. I approached the fourth official and said: 'How many mistakes are allowed here? If it's 15, you have one more."
#6 The Italian Job
Never a fan of negative tactics, the German wasn’t keen on facing Juventus in the last 16 of the Champions League. Italian clubs do have the propensity to defend first and ask questions later and Klopp sensed that he would have a hard time breaking the Old Lady down.
He must have been surprised when Dortmund were dumped out of the competition losing 5-1 on aggregate, which strongly suggests that Juve hardly employed a defensive strategy.
"We're facing the greatest challenge there is in football: to play against an Italian team that only needs a draw."
#7 Time heals all
What does it take to break this man? He seems to take everything on the chin, except for losing to Crystal Palace, of course.
The German’s powers of recovery are nothing short of amazing if there’s any truth to this quote. Managers do not usually recover from a loss until they win a match, but Klopp needs less than an hour to be able to crack a smile again.
"When I gave the first interview, I was very disappointed. After the second one 10 minutes later I was feeling better. In 30 minutes, I’ll probably feel like we won the match."
#8 Not getting over that one just yet
Describing his start to life at the Anfield club, the German revealed that it was okay, barring Liverpool’s loss to Crystal Palace.
Apparently, Jurgen Klopp has not been able to get over that. No idea why he feels so bad, though. The Reds probably can’t remember the last time they were able to beat the London side.
"Until now it's been okay. I'd really like to change my personality, but I can't forget this f***ing loss against Crystal Palace. If we had won this maybe then I would have said it was more than okay.”
