I CAN’T TAKE ANY HIGHER
‘I don’t think I’ll stay for 20 years like Wenger’ says Kop boss Klopp
JURGEN KLOPP says he will walk away from Liverpool the moment he can’t take them any further – even if he wins silverware.
Tonight, Liverpool’s German boss faces Arsene Wenger, who is routinely criticised by fans for overstaying his welcome after 21 years in charge of Arsenal.
But Klopp, who took over in October 2015, reckons he will know exactly when it’s the right time to leave Anfield.
“Stay here 20 years? Don’t know, don’t know,” said Klopp, who had seven-year stints in charge of both Mainz and Borussia Dortmund.
“So far, after seven years I’ve felt maybe I should move on.
“A few weeks ago I saw a statistic for the longest-serving coaches in the Bundesliga and I’m the record coach of two clubs – Mainz and Dortmund.
“It would be difficult to become the record coach at Liverpool. I don’t know.
“As long as it works really, really well. That means as long as there is space for improvement – because even if you win something, which everyone here is desperately waiting for, it could be the moment I say, ‘OK, but now we have to leave it’.
“So far, I think I have a very good feeling for these moments. In both situations, I think it was the right moment for both parties, the clubs and me.
“We will see. I don’t feel I am close to that moment and everything is fine.
Perfect
“If anyone thinks they can make a similar club career like Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger, I’m not sure it would be possible with the media of today.
“I think Arsene gets a lot of criticism. I’ve seen it since I’ve been in England and, for sure, it’s not right.
“He’s obviously still very ambitious and as long as you feel that, you can stay.
“If you are the only part who likes it, that’s wrong. It needs to be a perfect fit.
“We feel that here, at this moment and I’m sure for the next few years, but you cannot force anything to happen.”
A League Cup in 2012 under Kenny Dalglish is Liverpool’s only trophy in the last 10 years.
This season, the Premier League title is already beyond them, with Manchester City racing away from everyone at the top of the table.
But tonight’s clash could have a big say in the race for a top-four spot and Champions League qualification.
Liverpool thrashed the Gunners 4-0 at Anfield in August. But Klopp is expecting a tough game at the Emirates.
He said: “Arsenal are not parking the bus. They are not a long-ball playing team. They are complex.
“It’s a real job to do. You close one gap and, wow, another one opens. We have to be ready for this.
“It will be exciting and I would buy a ticket if I was not there already.”