Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp gets ULTIMATE compliment from Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher has paid the highest compliment to the departing Jurgen Klopp, comparing his impact to that of perhaps the great Reds manager of all, Bill Shankly.
Klopp brought the curtain down on his nine-year Anfield career on Sunday afternoon with his side recording a facile victory over Wolves.
The 56-year-old leaves Liverpool as an all-time great, restoring the Reds to their domestic and European perch, winning Premier League and Champions League honours throughout his time in charge.
He will be a tough act to follow with the Feyenoord boss Arne Slot coming in to replace him in time for next season and the Dutchman is well regarded for his success as well as his eye-pleasing football.
It is significant that Slot is similar in style to Klopp, says Liverpool Champions League legend Jamie Carragher, who compares Klopp’s achievements with those of the man who more than most helped shape the Reds into the club they are today.
Bill Shankly took over at Liverpool in 1959 and stayed with the club all the way through until 1974 when he - like Klopp - announced a surprise departure.
The Scot had a major impact on the club, turning a then-second division team into a dominant force in English and European football, winning three top-flight titles, two FA Cups and a UEFA Cup among other honours.
Liverpool is 'unrecognisable' thanks to Klopp
"It's not just about this season, or today, it's almost nine years,” Carragher told Sky Sports.
“When I came in today - this place is unrecognisable from when he first arrived.
"There's two new stands, that's before you get to what you've seen on the pitch. He's been part of the old Liverpool and the new Liverpool - the training ground, getting back to winning ways.
"The biggest legacy is that the man we expect to take over after him, the big thing is he plays like Klopp. When you talk about replacing him, it's very difficult to replace the man - but his biggest legacy will be the style of football.
"That goes back to what Bill Shankly did, he set a way of playing, principles which were set for the next 30, 40 years."