Inside story of Jurgen Klopp's life in Liverpool: How he put Reds back on their perch

Posted Saturday, June 27, 2020 by Dailystar.co.uk

The caricature of Klopp is different to the reality of someone who remains a private person - but one of the greatest winners of modern day football

The scene is a private banqueting suite in Madrid's Eurostars Towers Hotel and Liverpool are celebrating their Champions League final triumph over Tottenham.

It's June 2019. The champagne is flowing and the laughter is loud, but Jurgen Klopp is sitting in a quiet corner, clutching a cold beer and enjoying the fact his players are reigning in Spain. He got the party started, then retreated into the background.

Klopp had just agreed a sponsorship deal with a leading German lager firm, but he doesn't get drunk too often. He likes to remain in control. One of his greatest pleasures in life is seeing those around him happy.

And right now everyone at Liverpool has never been happier, because Klopp has led them to their first league title in 30 long years. The Merseysiders are back doing what they used to do - looking down on the rest.

Inside story of Jurgen Klopp's life in Liverpool: How he put Reds back on their perch
Klopp is known to enjoy a quiet beer - but often isn't the lively sort many assume him to be (Image: Getty Images)

In the last 12 months Klopp and his players have conquered England, Europe and the world - and the man deserving of much of the credit will never have to buy a drink in the city again.

The ultimate rise of this sleeping giant might have taken a bit longer than expected due to Covid-19, but has been truly worth the wait. So how has Klopp managed it?

Talk to those who know Klopp best and one word crops up time and again. Belief.

Klopp's greatest gift is his ability to get his players to believe they are the best, like he once had to do ahead of a Champions League, second leg showdown in Munich last season.

Inside story of Jurgen Klopp's life in Liverpool: How he put Reds back on their perch
Klopp walks his beloved dog Emma near his home in Formby (Image: Liverpool Echo)

Inside story of Jurgen Klopp's life in Liverpool: How he put Reds back on their perch
Klopp is settled in Formby with his wife and dog (Image: Liverpool Echo)

"I don’t think you believe how good you are," he told them, "(Manchester) City think you are a great side, Bayern think you are a great side. The only one in the football world who doesn't know seems to be you."

It was described as a 'spine tingling moment'. Liverpool left Munich victorious and went on to lift the trophy with the big ears for a sixth time.

The triumph banished the demons of losing the 2019 title race to City by a single point - and Liverpool have never looked back.

There is much more to Klopp than the floppy hair and toothy smile. The caricature of him is different to the reality of someone who remains a private person, someone who loves audio books on football and crime and walking his dog 'Emma' he got from a rescue centre near the Formby home club bosses bought for him from Brendan Rodgers.

Inside story of Jurgen Klopp's life in Liverpool: How he put Reds back on their perch
There is more to Klopp than the big smile he has become renowned for (Image: SplashNews.com)

He can be gregarious and relaxed. He doesn't stand on ceremony. He is emotional and never, ever late for meetings planned weeks in advance, fitting the German stereotype of being organised and efficient.

He likes red wine, paddle tennis (the club built him a court at the Melwood training ground), has swapped cigarettes for vaping and just had a new set of reading glasses specially made.

That's because his greatest passion is information. Klopp is a studious and meticulous planner who governs every training session and has relished his greater freedom following the sudden departure of his right hand man, Zeljko Buvac, who left the club on the eve of the 2018 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.

Buvac, who Klopp nicknamed 'The Brain', worked alongside him for 17 years. But Klopp has blown apart the theory he couldn't manage without him.

Inside story of Jurgen Klopp's life in Liverpool: How he put Reds back on their perch
Klopp's personality has helped endear himself to Liverpool fans (Image: MDM)

Inside story of Jurgen Klopp's life in Liverpool: How he put Reds back on their perch
Klopp is one of the most charismatic managers in the game (Image: Elkin Cabarcas / MEGA)

It wasn't the end of something, it was the start and Klopp has gone on to forge a squad with no vanity in it. They all have the same goal - and now they've achieved it.

Klopp has refined players like Andy Robertson, Roberto Firminho and Trent Alexander-Arnold. He has turned Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk into successive PFA players of the year. A ringing endorsement of Klopp's management.

He has encouraged a pragmatic transfer strategy. He lured players like Alisson and Van Dijk to Anfield because they bought into his vision. So much so that the latter rejected the chance to join Pep Guardiola at City.

There is a natural sense of togetherness within the team. There are still cliques, but productive ones in a side that have become more fluid and flexible, finding different ways to win games.

Inside story of Jurgen Klopp's life in Liverpool: How he put Reds back on their perch
Klopp will forever be a legend on Merseyside after his title achievements (Image: Getty Images)

Klopp revised his approach last summer. He made them less vulnerable to the counter attack. He shut down spaces, demanded more from players already working at full tilt, including quicker passing and greater focus at set-pieces.

Put simply, he built a truly formidable unit. Undoubtedly one of the greatest sides in the history of English football. He put Liverpool back on their perch and his achievements now rank him among the pantheons of great managers at Anfield. A statue surely awaits.