Jurgen Klopp has rightly labelled his Liverpool side as one of the best in the world at the moment, and has said that he feels a lot of pride for how his players have developed.
When the German joined us in 2015, we were a far way away from where we find ourselves now, and the boss has managed to get us here so quickly it’s a bit funny.
Even the players that he had, and signed, were not the same people five years ago – without Klopp, I don’t think it’s unfair to say players like Andy Robertson, Gini Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino wouldn’t be close to where they are now.
In his pre-match comments ahead of the big game with Manchester City, the boss talks about how proud he is of his team. “I take enjoyment and fulfilment from how my players have improved and grown together to bring us to the point that we are involved in great occasions like this,” he’s quoted as saying by the club’s official site.
“I take enjoyment from the fact these players and this team have earned their status as being one of the best football sides in the world in this moment. I take enjoyment from knowing that these players have total belief in themselves.
“I could not be prouder of what this squad has done and continues to do.
“Liverpool Football Club is so blessed to have this remarkable group of people together in this moment representing and competing for the club. They are so special, each and every one of them.
“We cannot and should not ever promise an outcome. We can’t promise a specific result today or that in May we will achieve anything specific either – that would be foolish.
“What we can promise, and what they constantly deliver on, is that this team, whichever players feature on the teamsheet today, will give their all. These players don’t know any other way – it’s all of themselves and nothing less when they compete for Liverpool.”
I think I could fill the walls in my house with quotes of Klopp talking about Liverpool, and I’d be in a constant state of awe – the man clearly loves the Reds and we love him too.