Jurgen Klopp Effect Brings Hope To LFC Players, Fresh Worries To Opponents

Jurgen Klopp’s arrival at Liverpool FC is reverberating beyond Anfield.

A few Liverpool players have enthused publicly this week about the prospect of working with Klopp, and they’re not alone in paying attention to the new boss at Anfield. Tottenham’s Harry Kane also expects the Reds to be bouncing when they come to White Hart Lane for a Premier League clash Saturday, judging by the behavior of Liverpool players who were on duty with him the last two weeks with England’s national team.

“In the first couple of games after a managerial appointment everybody tries to impress so they will probably have that little 5 percent extra than usual,” Kane said Tuesday, according to the Guardian. “We expect that. The Liverpool players at England could not wait to get back to start working under him.”

The excitement Liverpool players are feeling about Klopp is no secret. Adam Lallana and Jordon Ibe both told LiverpoolFC.com about the prevailing sense of anticipation among the Reds. Lallana, 27, confirmed Kane’s suspicions of the Reds’ reception to Klopp. Ibe, 18, said he’s eager to learn from the German tactician.

Lucas Leiva, one of Liverpool’s longest-serving players, offered his early observations of the so-called “Klopp effect” in a lengthy interview with LiverpoolFC.com on Wednesday.

“So far, so good,” Lucas said. “There is a lot of information and as players we need to listen a lot now, and learn and try to put everything he asks us to do onto the pitch and off the pitch as well. It has been very good, very positive and hopefully it will keep going like that.

“He seems to be very passionate. He likes to put in everything that he has and he asks the players for the same. Be very intense, be aggressive with yourself, is what he has been saying. Always try to be better, always give 10 metres more, because that will be the key to success. That is what he has been saying to us in the last couple of days.”

Lucas said Klopp appears to be trying to form the personal bonds with the Reds like he did with great success at Borussia Dortmund.

“He seems to be a very open manager and someone that likes to be close to the players, but very straight as well,” Lucas continued. “He was so successful at his last club, Borussia Dortmund. Of course, when a manager like him comes it always gives you a lot of hope.

“If we have the same success that Dortmund had when he was there, everyone will be happy. That’s why we’re really positive about it.

“It’s a fresh start for everyone. Everyone is starting from zero really and everyone will have to prove that you deserve to be here and play for him.”

Lucas now embarks on life under his fifth manager in his eight-plus years at Anfield, and Klopp has the veteran Brazilian midfielder brimming with enthusiasm and eagerness like few, if any, have before him.

Call it the “Klopp effect.”