Jurgen Klopp sends Andoni Iraola message and reveals Liverpool return dream
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Jurgen Klopp reflects on Liverpool's struggles last season and says new boss Andoni Iraola needs time at AnfieldJurgen Klopp says Andoni Iraola needs time to succeed at Liverpool as the legendary former boss admitted he had "no idea" what went wrong under Arne Slot.Slot won the Premier League title in his first term at Anfield having replaced Klopp in 2024 but the Dutch coach's sophomore season was much more difficult as the defending champions were beaten 20 times across all competitions.An end-of-season review with sporting director Richard Hughes on May 30 resulted in Slot being relieved of his duties before Iraola, who left Bournemouth at the end of the campaign, was quickly installed as the new head coach on Merseyside.Klopp urged patience for Iraola at Anfield and while he says he is unsure where the problems stemmed from for Slot, the iconic German - who is now head of global soccer at Red Bull - hinted the passing of Diogo Jota last July had a lasting impact across the entire club."I've no idea, I am not close enough to judge that," Klopp told ESPN. "I was super happy that they won the league the year before and I have no idea what went wrong the year after."So I don't think anyone was really happy with the season, that is obvious but they still qualified for the Champions League and that is great success then."So now they can go again, they have a new manager and Andoni Iraola is a great coach as well.
But it has to click, it has to work together for a long time and for that you need luck."And there was a situation at Liverpool last season which nobody expected to happen (Diogo Jota dying) and to deal with these kinds of things is really difficult."So I don't know exactly what went on. So last season is now in the past as well, so they can look into the future."In an interview in New York, where Klopp is currently situated for the World Cup, former Newcastle United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop also asked the 2019 Champions League winner if he would like to re-experience a European night at Anfield.Klopp added: "If I am allowed to coach another game again, yes, a European night at Anfield is super, super special."I am not sure coaching it is the best experience but probably being in the stands and watching it might be an even better experience."But maybe there is a day I can go there, nobody recognises me and I can just stand in the stands and have the same fun as everyone else."The football we were delivering, and the reason behind the way we played, is that we wanted to achieve success and entertain the fans."We wanted to play in the most exciting stadiums, and in the best football atmospheres, and to achieve the greatest possible amount of success."As long as you're not the best team in the world, you have to play in a style capable of beating the best team in the world.
That's what we tried to do, we played in the way we played."And in terms of the fun and excitement, I accept this compliment with great pleasure.. because I also enjoy watching my team play."FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page