Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reveals player he would loved to have coached

Jurgen Klopp Liverpool September 2021

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed the one player from history that he would have liked to have coached.

Klopp, who celebrates six years in charge at Anfield later this month, has managed some great players both at Liverpool and in Germany.

But asked about the one player he would like to go back and coach it was an answer he made without hesitation, Steven Gerrard.

It’s an answer that will go down well with the Liverpool supporters because Gerrard was idolised on The Kop.

Gerrard’s career spanned over 17 years and over 700 appearances for the club. He refused to play for any other club in England. The 41-year-old, now boss of Rangers, won the Champions League, FA Cup, UEFA Cup and League Cup at Anfield.

The one title that eluded him was the Premier League crown and he left Anfield in July 2015 for LA Galaxy, just three months before Klopp took over from Brendan Rodgers.

In an exclusive interview with This is Anfield, Klopp was asked who he would like to go back and coach.

“That’s easy. It’s Stevie (Gerrard),” said Klopp.

“When we played in Sydney three or four years ago and after the season we didn’t have a proper team and we invited McManaman, Agger, Jamie Carragher and Stevie.

“To be honest, I knew Liverpool and I saw him playing. Of course, but a little bit advanced age group wise but they were all really good.

“But Stevie, what a player he still was then! I think he was already retired but maybe a youth coach here. Incredible.

“Stevie and me together in the roles. He as the man on the pitch and me as a coach that would have been nice. So it’s Stevie.

“Six years ago it would have been a different answer but now I’m here and I know him as a person and as a player so that’s now an easy answer.”


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‘Don’t take it too seriously’

The German coach was also asked one thing he has learnt as a manager over the last 20 years.

Mohamed Salah would be foolish to sign for Barcelona

Mohamed Salah would be foolish to sign for Barcelona

Barcelona have been linked with Mo Salah and Divock Origi.

“Don’t take it [life] too seriously,” said Klopp. “I know it’s important to all of us but people make a massive fuss of football. So in a lot of moments where I think [scrunched face] ‘Come on, it’s still a game don’t forget that.’

“I know we get pushed in situations where it’s like managers get sacked and so many things happen in the world and in football. So I think very often calm down, don’t take it too seriously. It’s still a game.

“I knew that from the beginning but meanwhile I live it.”

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp names chastised former Liverpool striker he’d love to sign