It would seem that it isn’t just Liverpool fans that have been impressed with how Jurgen Klopp has conducted himself since arriving at the club, with Liverpool coach Pep Lijnders expressing his delight at working with the new Liverpool manager.
The 32 year old has risen through the ranks quickly since joining the club and has quickly become one of Klopp’s right-hand men, despite the 48 year old bringing in his own people.
Lijnders spoke to the club’s official website, where he spoke of how every day with Klopp is like a ‘masterclass’. He said: “For me as a young coach learning from the best it’s the same as [the young players]. It’s like a masterclass everyday it’s very simple.
“You go to a congress and you see that one speaker and you like him and you think ‘wow’.
“If you can work with that speaker every day that would be [fantastic] and that’s the situation I’m in at the moment.”
The young coach is, himself, widely respected and very highly sought after in football, so it was quite the coup when LFC signed him but he has made no secret of his admiration for the former Dortmund coach. Lijnders explained how the staff at Melwood have attempted to create a ‘bridge’ between the senior and youth sides, allowing the coaching staff to cast an eye over them regularly.
He also believes that, under Klopp, the youth academy and the players it produces can only benefit from Klopp’s guidance, citing the examples of the youth (current and former) players that he has already gifted first team opportunities to.
He continued: “I truly believe that we can create a new generation of Liverpool players who can open up games, speed up games, who can break that defensive wall.
“In the future it will be more organised, there will be less space, that’s the only thing I’m certain of.
“The defensive line of the opponents will get closer, they will be stronger physically, and to break that wall you [must] stimulate [them] from a young, young age.
“But creating the environment, creating the models, giving them the attention they need – not [just] Academy coaches but first-team staff – and truly giving them the opportunity.
“The Academy already proved they are worth it with Pedro [Chirivella], with Jordan [Rossiter], Jordon Ibe, Flanno [Jon Flanagan].
“There are not many certainties in the world but I’m certain Liverpool will produce top-class players.”
Do you agree that, between them, Jurgen and Pep can give Liverpool’s youth the environment to flourish? Let us know your thoughts below.
