Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is one of the most popular coaches in world football. When Spanish newspapers were polling Barcelona fans to ask who should replace Luis Enrique, Klopp kept popping up on the list.
Fans can identify with the Liverpool manager. His enthusiasm and emotion for the game makes Klopp seems a little more human than some of his colleagues.
Given all of that, Marca sound pretty chuffed they got to speak to the Liverpool boss this week. It’s a straight interview, there’s no hint of controversy involved from Klopp, but some of his comments give an insight to his thinking on players.
After speaking about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and the talent in Spanish and French football generally, as well as stating England is better than many think, Klopp said: “Busquets is only 28, right? What a player! And it seems that he’s been playing 16 years in that position.”
It’s not only Barcelona’s midfield king who excites Klopp: “Toni Kroos is an exceptional player, a genius. He’s so subtle with the ball.”
Asked to again speak about Spanish players, Klopp said: “In my time in Germany, I admired Thiago Alcantara, for example. And what about David Silva? [Marca stated Klopp then gave a mischievous smile to show just how much he likes the player]. There are others… Pedro is playing well… But yeah, it ‘s a coincidence that I have not signed many Spaniards. Dortmund had no money to buy them. Gonzalo Castro was, but only half Spanish. A fantastic player, by the way.”
Sergio Busquets, Toni Kroos, Thiago Alcantara, David Silva, Pedro and Gonzalo Castro. There’s only one of those who could be a realistic target for Liverpool, and unfortunately for Jurgen Klopp it’s the last one.
