Manager Jurgen Klopp, who has long criticized the fixture schedule and the strain placed on players, has admitted that the demands of Liverpool's management have taken a toll. Watch Liverpool v Tottenham on Sunday live on Sky Sports from 4pm.Kickoff 4:30pm
Manager Jurgen Klopp believes his decision to end his nine-year spell at Liverpool before collapsing from exhaustion was the right decision, believing the club will struggle next season.
The 56-year-old will play his penultimate match at Anfield as Liverpool manager on Super Sunday, with Tottenham the visitors.
There are only three games left in his reign, but that reality doesn't seem to have weighed on him yet.
“I didn't think much about it,'' Klopp says exclusively. sky sports. “I never thought of this as a goodbye because I can't think about my situation every day.
“There was a day this week when our foundation was at the practice field and there were families and kids, and that’s my favorite moment of all time.
“The boy I first met when he had cancer five years ago is now there with a head of red curls. It's amazing to see. That was the moment I realized it.” [leaving] It must be difficult. ”
Klopp understands what it means to be the manager of Liverpool Football Club and to be the manager of Liverpool.
The German has an implicit understanding of Liverpool and spoke in his departure announcement about how much it meant to him to enjoy their freedom.
When he leaves at the end of this month, he will be happy with the foundations he has built and will go on to build a second great Liverpool team.
While the fairy-tale ending of a second Premier League title or further European glory is yet to come, his legacy is already secure.
The rigors of tackling these games, the constant demands of carrying the weight of all his hopes and dreams, forced him to leave.
Asked whether the decision to leave was taken together with his wife Ulla Sandrock, Klopp said: “The first decision was not a joint decision. In this particular case, it was my decision.” Told.
“There's only one person who can make that call and that was me. I had to explain to her that for me it was about being in the best shape possible until I finished.
“The last few weeks I haven't been feeling well playing football. As a result, people have started saying that I look very tired. I'm just getting older! But until the last day I I'm going to play 100 percent.'' That was always the plan.
“I was convinced that if I didn't make a decision now, it could have been difficult next year. The idea is to get back together for pre-season and make a big decision.
“For that you have to be really full of energy. Eighty percent is not enough. That's the truth. It's too much. It's a 24/7 job. Yes, there are more important things in life. But if you really care, then it's 24/7.
“I've been doing it for quite some time and I knew I couldn't continue to do it to the standard required for a club like Liverpool.”
Klopp pointed out that in most cases a manager leaves during a downturn, but that his successor will join a well-run club with a clear recruitment structure and philosophy.
“Of course it's not perfect. If we were, we could get five or six more points and still be in the league,” he said. “But if you rewind to the beginning of the season, I called it Liverpool 2.0…Liverpool 2.0 won't stop when I leave.
“This is just the beginning of another project with a really great team.”
Klopp: It's good that the players have to prove themselves again
It is still unclear whether Mohamed Salah is part of that team. In a press conference after last weekend's 2-2 draw with West Ham, the Reds manager said everything was resolved, only for Salah to wander around the mixed zone, saying: “If you talk, you'll be on fire.”
However, almost a week after the episode, Klopp said it was nothing unusual. Salah is one of the few players whose contract expires in the summer of 2025.
So has the Egyptian player ever discussed what his future holds without his current manager?
“No, we shouldn't do that,” Klopp said, speaking for the whole team. “No one talked to me about it. When my favorite teacher retired, we didn't leave school. I never had the same teacher my whole life.”
“I've had different influences from different people, but I take everything I can from the different people I meet on my journey. We really love each other, and there are little bumps here and there. But that's completely normal and we have a great relationship.
“For the players, it's good that you don't know what's going to happen. It's good that they have new influences and have to prove themselves again. That's always good in life.
“We always try to be safe and go to the same vacation, the same hotel, the same part of the beach. But actually, it also makes sense to go to different beaches.”
How to book Fury vs. Usyk on Sky Sports Box Office
It is one of the biggest sporting events in a generation. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk They will clash for the undisputed World Heavyweight Championship on Saturday 18th May, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book your match now.
Advertisement | Stream Sky Sports Now
Stream Sky Sports live now with no monthly or daily membership commitments. Get instant access to live action from the Premier League and his EFL, plus darts, cricket, tennis, golf and more.