Klopp denies ‘player power’ has become rising threat

Jürgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, says the idea of ‘player power’ is exaggerated and claims only the Leicester City board, not the dressing room, should be held responsible for Claudio Ranieri’s sacking last week.

The debate regarding the circumstances of Ranieri’s dismissal continues, but Klopp – who takes his side to the King Power Stadium tonight – rejected the accusation that players force owners to act.

“Players are not more powerful. We were much more powerful in the past,” said Klopp. “It depends always on the board. As long as the players talk together there is no problem. If they start talking [to the board] about you, for this you need an ear on the other side.

“It is not about how powerful [the players are]. The players need to be powerful but not in sacking managers. It’s not like the Leicester players did it. It is if someone asked, they gave an answer.

“If there is a direct way to the board the owners sit with the players and ask ‘how are you?’ and they say ‘not too good because of the manager’. I have never had this situation. There was never a direct line to the owner. But I know it has happened.”

In contrast to events elsewhere, the warmth between Klopp and his players is evident, his on-field hugs noticeable following every encouraging performance. Prior to Liverpool’s last Premier League victory – a 2-0 win over Spurs – his players held a meeting to demand more from each other and Klopp acknowledges mutual respect is essential.

“As a player I had more meetings without the manager in these sorts of times than with the manager,” said Klopp. “It is never a problem. I told the boys do it even when the public are aware of it being without the manager. I don’t have a second of doubt about my relationship with the team. I don’t have to be part of different things.”