Steven Gerrard knows a good thing when he sees it — whether from up close or afar.
In an interview with the London Evening Standard on Thursday, Gerrard enthused about the ways in which Liverpool has changed since Jurgen Klopp arrived as manager in early October. Gerrard was playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy when Liverpool hired Klopp, but he has seen the German’s work up close in recent weeks during his training spell with the Reds.
“My impressions from the outside were that I loved him,” Gerrard said. “I loved how charismatic he was on camera, I loved his tactics and I always appreciated Borussia Dortmund, who I watched quite closely in the Champions League. So I was huge fan anyway. But now that I have met him and worked with him, it has gone up a notch.”
Morale in Liverpool’s camp was low for much of 2015, as progress stalled and results deteriorated. Gerrard credits Klopp’s management for changing the mood in and around the dressing room.
“The atmosphere at the club is brilliant. The players are buzzing around the training ground and there are smiles all over the place. I think he has lifted the whole place. He wants to be around players who are enjoying it. He does not want players to be tense, worried or concerned. He wants to take all that pressure on his shoulders.”
Gerrard’s words might not carry the same influence as they did during his 17-plus years on the Reds’ first team. But his behind-the-scenes report on Klopp will reinforce the sense Liverpool is heading in the right direction.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@LiveRRpoolUK
