Henry Winter: The link between Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool will never be broken

Liverpool have said goodbye to more than one legendary manager as Jürgen Klopp departs.

Liverpool part with a smiling motivator, a close friend, a beacon in dark times like the lockout, someone who ‘caught’ the club and the people. Just as the club and the people entered Klopp’s heart.

The separation is painful for everyone involved because of everything they shared. Everyone knows that Klopp’s connection with Liverpool fans is emotional and endless. That connection will never be broken, just because he’s no longer standing in front of the Kop beating his crest on his chest. Klopp has given so many people so much joy and leadership and so many unforgettable memories.

Warm memories to dry the tears of farewell.

Memories like Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quick corner to Divock Origi to settle the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in 2019. Memories like Mo Salah and Origi scoring to win the Champions League in Madrid in 2019. Memories like that incredible run of 26 of the first 27 games in which they won the title in 2020.

Memories like United winning at Old Trafford in 2021 or United winning at Anfield in 2023. 5-0, 7-0, inflation? No, just more inspiration from Klopp.

He brought out the best in so many players, unleashed Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson to express his buccaneer brilliance. He put his faith in many of the next generation like Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley and Harvey Elliott and they responded superbly.

He looked at the midfield and rebuilt it with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo. Klopp leaves his successor with so much good material to work with and such strong foundations to build on.

So many tributes are currently celebrating Klopp’s transformative impact on Liverpool.

Amidst these rich reflections on events at Anfield, it is also vital to record and revere Klopp’s influence on the game across the country. It’s far and wide.

It is the first tactic: switches and exchanges, flying full-backs, inventive passes, three strikers, overloads and urgency everywhere. Press the life of the opposition.

Other managers seek, learn, and seek to embody the style. Klopp’s swing permeates the pristine lawns of Premier League grounds to the core.

Young coaches and managers coming up the ladder are fascinated by Klopp’s demeanor, his words and his body language in press conferences. He exudes passion for the game and emotional engagement with players and supporters. Others try to emulate this.

In a typically eloquent early mission statement at Anfield, Klopp promised fans that “the only thing I can do is put everything I have – my knowledge, my passion, my heart, my experience, everything – and throw them into this club, 100 percent”. Inspirational. Because it’s so obviously authentic and carries a natural authority, those feelings are even stronger among fans. Whether it’s a private letter to someone in the moment who needs it or a big public statement to thousands of adoring fans, Klopp cares.

As he promised fans in his famous first program notes: “The team will go out and fight for you and look to represent you, the club and the city in the way we go about our work. That is my commitment.” Liverpool fans immediately appreciated that they had a warrior in the lead and followed suit accordingly.

His commitment to his players is unconditional, another quality scrutinized by young coaches learning the trade and also, discreetly, by some players at other clubs.

Players want to play for Klopp because of his style of football and his character traits. He supported them and supported them and they ran through walls for him.

His opinion on people management should become a module of the professional bachelor’s course: “I like to be something of a friend of the player, but not his best friend.” That’s the key. This is the right balance, understanding and demanding.

He was the king of one-liners, a media dream and guaranteed to bring more sunshine and smiles to fans’ lives. “If you’ve had Wikipedia or Google and put in ‘European nights’ the answer must be Anfield.” This is much more than a strong image and a clever line. It’s inspiring for Liverpool fans to hear and disconcerting for visiting fans.

I’ve only interviewed Klopp once, and he’s easily in the top five of the 1,000 or so footballing figures I’ve been lucky enough to interview. It’s fun. We talked about music and travel as well as headers and salvos. He enjoys life.

They are certainly enjoying the victories, celebrating Liverpool’s sixth European Cup in Madrid in style. “Let’s talk about six, baby,” he sang to Jan Aage Fjortoft, the former expert interviewer on ViaPlay. He almost fell off Liverpool’s open-top bus.

He is also generous with spirit. Accepting the FIFA Men’s Coach of the Year award for 2020, Klopp name-checked all members of his backroom staff and kitchen staff.

Gestures like this increase his popularity. Klopp will be greatly missed as a wonderful man and as a legendary manager.