During a farewell event at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena, former manager Jürgen Klopp took the opportunity to criticize several of the club’s rivals. This event came nine days after his final match in charge, a 2-0 victory over Wolves at Anfield. Klopp, who won seven major trophies during his nine-year tenure, including the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League title in 2020, had some pointed words for other teams in the league.
One of Klopp’s main targets was Manchester City, who pipped Liverpool to the title on two occasions. City have been charged with 115 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, and Klopp did not hold back in his criticism. He made reference to the alleged breaches and suggested that City’s success may not be entirely earned.
Klopp also addressed the issue of Liverpool not signing star players such as Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Erling Haaland. He defended the club’s decision, stating that it is not the “Liverpool way” to spend extravagantly on players. Klopp emphasized that Liverpool achieved success by doing things their way and having difficult conversations when necessary.
Appreciation for Liverpool Owners
Despite his criticisms of other clubs, Klopp expressed his gratitude towards Liverpool’s owners. He praised them for their support and for allowing him to do things his way. Klopp contrasted Liverpool’s ownership with that of other clubs, insinuating that he may not have lasted long at a club with different owners who were less patient.
In addition to his comments on Manchester City, Klopp also took a shot at Manchester United’s handling of Jadon Sancho. He suggested that the manager should stand by the player when trust and faith are lost. This remark seemed to imply that United did not support Sancho in the same way Klopp would have.
Overall, Klopp’s farewell event was a mixture of gratitude towards Liverpool and criticism towards their rivals. His comments shed light on his values as a manager and his belief in doing things the “Liverpool way.” As he bids farewell to the club and its fans, Klopp’s words serve as a reminder of his impact on Liverpool and the Premier League as a whole.