‘Klopp can guide Liverpool to Champions League glory’
LONDON: Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has stayed true to the attacking philosophy that won him admirers in Germany and has assembled a squad capable of winning the Champions League, Germany’s former World Cup- winning captain Lothar Matthaeus said.
Five-times European champions Liverpool are in the quarter-finals of this year’s competition and face fellow Premier League side Manchester City in the first leg at Anfield on April 4.
Klopp led his former club Borussia Dortmund to Bundesliga titles in 2011 and in 2012, when they also won the German Cup for a domestic double, and he steered them to the 2013 Champions League final where they lost to arch-rivals Bayern Munich.
The 50-year-old took take charge of Liverpool in 2015, where he has bolstered his adventurous brand of soccer with a number of key signings including Premier League top-scorer Mohamed Salah of Egypt and fellow forward Sadio Mane of Senegal.
“He ( Klopp) didn’t change his style too much (from Dortmund)... he has done a very good job. I believed from the beginning that he and Liverpool have a very good relationship,” M at t h a e u s told the club’s website (www. l iver po ol fc . com).
“You can see that in the good results, the good games and he has bought the right
He (Klopp) didn’t change his style too much (from Dortmund)... he has done a very good job. I believed from the beginning that he and Liverpool have a very good relationship.
players. For me, it is a team that can win the Champions League i n two months ( time) in Kiev.”
Liverpool are also chasing second spot in the Premier League behind championselect Manchester City. The Merseysiders a r e t h i rd with 63
Lothar Matthaeus, Germany former World Cupwinning captain
in place points from 31 g a me s , two behind arch- riva ls Manc he s t e r United who have a game in hand. “He is working very hard, his team is always ready to fight for 90 minutes and they are in good condition,” Matthaeus, who played in the 5- 5 draw between Bayern Munich and Liverpool Legends teams at Anfield at the weekend, added.
“He finds the right players, especially in the offence, who can make the difference on the highest level.”
Liverpool kick off this weekend’s Premier League action at 16thplaced Crystal Palace (1130 GMT) on Saturday. — Reuters