Klopp on the jokes in the Leeds United dressing room, Mr. Bielsa, the outstanding Bamford, and the ardent Milner
It has been confirmed that Jurgen Klopp would be departing Liverpool at the end of the current campaign. After joining Anfield in October 2015, the German has had amazing success, but throughout his second half on Merseyside, he only had league encounters with Leeds United.
After United’s promotion under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020, Klopp and the Whites faced off for the first time outside of cup competition. Leeds exceeded all expectations on the field and created a sensation off the field with their response to the European Super League ideas during those two events against Liverpool in 2020–2021.
Here is a taste of what Klopp had to say about Leeds in that 2020–21 season, including some high-pitched compliments for Patrick Bamford, who has strangely returned to his finest form.
“Mr. Bielsa has one of the highest reputations in coaching, in any sport, not just football, and when you see the quality of his work it’s easy to understand why,” Klopp wrote in the Anfield program on September 2020, the eve of the season’s opening day, as the Championship and Premier League champions faced off.
“Coming to England and accepting a position at Leeds United, in a league and culture he had never encountered, was a tremendous risk. James Milner has taught me more about this club than perhaps anyone else has.
“Whenever we are together as a team and Leeds are playing we all know everything about it because Milly doesn’t shut up about it, but, joking aside, via James and via my own historical knowledge, I know the significance of this club to English football.
“I’d also heard for some time that this club ‘belongs’ in the Premier League and there lay the biggest challenge Mr Bielsa and his players had to combat. Expectation based on emotion. And wow, they took on the challenge and achieved.
After Rodrigo gave away a penalty that allowed Mohamed Salah to complete his hat-trick, the Whites would notably challenge the reigning champions all the way and only down 4-3 in the closing seconds.
Before the Super League drama in April 2021, Klopp would discuss Bamford. “Top player, Bamford,” he uttered. I seem to recall hearing before the season on talkSPORT that Leeds needed a legitimate goal scorer since Bamford wasn’t good enough, and other similar statements.
“I’m overjoyed that he disproved them. He is a superb player—perfect. In addition to his exceptional work ethic, he plays football and scores goals. That is not common.
“They have a lot of intriguing players, but Bamford has my undying happiness.” Of course, I don’t know him, but it’s a pleasant profession. Impressive, if a little bit later than others.
The first game involving any of the English clubs at the center of the Super League ideas would see Liverpool visit at Elland Road. The Reds discovered t-shirts bearing the slogan “Football is for the Fans” in their locker room following a particularly negative reception for the team coach at the stadium.
According to Klopp, “We didn’t really know [much about the Super League news] yesterday. This morning, we had a meeting, and I told the boys what little I know.” Then, like we will do, we just attempted to concentrate on the game.
I’ve heard they have warm-up clothes, but we won’t wear them, we can’t, and it’s ridiculous if someone feels they have to tell us that qualifying for the Champions League is a requirement. An actual farce.
“They put it in our dressing room and, if it was Leeds’ idea, thank you very much, nobody has to remind us, maybe they should remind themselves.”
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