Jurgen Klopp Uncovered: New Liverpool boss makes great first impression at Anfield

Jurgen Klopp has agreed a £7m-a-year contract with Liverpool

JURGEN KLOPP described himself as the “normal one,” though his unveiling at Anfield was anything but.

 

This was not the sort of bland press conference so often encapsulated by managerial appointments, but something more akin to a 25-minute onslaught of the senses during which Klopp outlined a journey and every Liverpool supporter jumped on for the ride.

Liverpool was already in awe, but the German’s first utterances served to further unite a fan base behind a manager in whom they can truly believe. It felt different to what has gone before.

It just felt as if Klopp gets it.

 

That is not meant to denigrate Brendan Rodgers, yet the sheer weight of his successor’s personality was carried in his answers as he spoke about “restarting” a club that has developed too many bad habits.

Klopp had emerged at 10am through a barrage of flashbulbs and into one of the corporate lounges at Anfield’s Centenary Stand sporting that beaming, megawatt grin of his and oozing charisma and charm.

Beyond the smile it was his ambition for Liverpool that shone through.

He spoke about transforming “doubters into believers” as he turned his attention to the players he has inherited, putting an early marker down that the weak will be weeded out and cast aside as road kill.

 

Jurgen Klopp poses with a Liverpool shirt alongside Tom Werner and Ian Ayre

There was humour. He said if he is still at the helm in four years it is because he has won the title – otherwise his next job will be in “Switzerland.”

Yet there was nothing boastful about his appearance. Klopp insisted he is not a miracle worker. Never has been, he said, despite the success he enjoyed at Borussia Dortmund and never will be.

Liverpool will have to rely on more conventional methods if they are to rediscover their footing and aim to clamber back onto their perch, but he feels like a good fit: a manager who knows what he wants at a club that has lost its way.

There may well be a time when that causes problems for Fenway Sports Group who have their own beliefs on how things should be done, but here chairman Tom Werner looked on unable to suppress a smile. Alongside Klopp, chief executive Ian Ayre was hanging on his every word.

 

But in finally appointing a “world class manager,” to quote chairman Tom Werner, Liverpool have given themselves a chance of fighting back.

Klopp was asked what style Liverpool supporters should expect.

“A wild one!” he replied.

Never has the old maxim about teams taking on the persona of their manager felt more appropriate. The coming months will prove an adventure.