Rocky packs a punch for Klopp
LONDON: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is a huge fan of the blockbuster Rocky films and would love one day to replicate the iconic scene of running up the Philadelphia stairs just as the principal character Rocky Balboa does.
The 49-year-old German – who faces his second Merseyside Derby on Monday but first at rivals Everton’s Goodison Park ground – admits though when he tried to use one of the Rocky films as an example to players at a previous club it fell on deaf ears.
“When I was much younger I tried to use the story of Rocky IV – Rocky Balboa against Ivan Drago – in a meeting and after five minutes I realised my players did not have a clue what I was talking about so I had to start new,” confessed Klopp at his Friday press conference.
“Only two players knew the film.
“Rocky is a wonderful story, I have loved him my whole life.
“Maybe some day I will run up the stairs in Philadelphia but not this week,” added Klopp referring to the scene in the first Rocky – which won three Oscars – in 1976 when Sylvester Stallone runs up what have become known as the ‘Rocky’ steps.
Klopp, who is bidding to go one better than his predecessor Brendan Rodgers managed in the 2013/14 campaign and deliver Liverpool’s first Premier League crown, said not even the fact Goodison Park features in the latest Rocky film the Oscarnominated ‘Creed’ dampened his enthusiasm for the films.
“When I got home (from Thursday’s Christmas Party) there was nothing to do anymore and I decided to watch a film and I found Creed – it was really good,” said Klopp.
“The favourite (British cruiserweight WBC world champion and Everton supporter Tony Bellew’s character in the film) was from Liverpool but I have a little bit of sympathy with the other guy.
“That was my first impression of Goodison Park.
“I had no idea that Goodison Park played a part in it. It looked good but not more.” — AFP