‘Emotional’ Klopp lifts lid

As his Liverpool side prepares to face Chelsea on Friday Night Football, Jurgen Klopp tells Sky Sports’ Geoff Shreeves about his “emotional” first year at Anfield, his public persona and why there’s more to his football philosophy than counter-pressing.

Jurgen Klopp promised to bring “emotional football” befitting of the club’s storied history when he was unveiled as Liverpool boss amid fevered expectation.

Nearly 12 months into his tenure, a period during which he has delivered two cup finals – memorably beating former club Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League – and overseen a squad overhaul to raise hopes of a long-awaited top-four finish, the Anfield boss admits life on Merseyside has pulled at his heartstrings in return. 

“It’s been very interesting. Very challenging. Very emotional,” Klopp said in an exclusive interview ahead of Friday’s Stamford Bridge showdown, live on Sky Sports.

“There’s already been a lot of emotional games – not just the Dortmund one. I’ve had emotional moments after big defeats and we’ve had those too, unfortunately.

“But we have created confidence and we believe in our strengths and that all happened in the last 11 months.”

The enigmatic German with wild energy and wilder facial expressions became an instant Premier League draw when he arrived in England last October.

But while the man who once banged the drum for “heavy-metal football” says he is unlikely to temper celebrations that have seen him lose and even shatter his trademark glasses, Klopp insists that behind his demanding pitchside persona is a coach keen to cultivate trust.

 “When I came here nobody really knew me, it was all about rumour – ‘He’s very emotional on the sidelines, it’s all about counter-pressing’. It’s the same with the players; now I know much more. We really enjoy working together.

“When the players go home, I can’t tell them what to do so you need to create an atmosphere of trust. I don’t want …

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