Here's your Liverpool FC morning digest for Thursday, April 21.
What Alex Ferguson told Jamie Carragher in Manchester United dressing room after Jurgen Klopp arrival
Jamie Carragher has shared what Sir Alex Ferguson told him just a month after Jurgen Klopp had arrived at Liverpool.
Speaking after Tuesday night’s 4-0 win over Manchester United, Liverpool legend Carragher had just watched Klopp’s side move two points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League title race. The victory was another important step for the Reds as they continued their march towards an unprecedented quadruple.
When Klopp took over from Brendan Rodgers in October 2015, Liverpool were sat in mid-table. However, Carragher has revealed that legendary United manager Ferguson was almost immediately “worried” the German's arrival on Merseyside.
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“I played in a game at Old Trafford, I think it was Michael Carrick’s testimonial, and Alex Ferguson went around the dressing room shaking hands, saying ‘thanks for coming’, I think he was manager of one of the teams,” he told the Gary Neville Podcast . “Jurgen Klopp had been at the club about a month and he [Ferguson] came to me and said, ‘you’ve got a manager’. I went, ‘oh yeah, good, Jurgen Klopp’s made a decent start’, and he [Ferguson] said, ‘no, no, I’m worried’.
“And that was at the time I think Manchester United were still above Liverpool, but he [Ferguson] knew through meeting him I think at the UEFA meetings or the Champions League, wherever it was, he could feel that sort of personality.
“You talk about great managers and tactics and formations, the great managers all have that, of course they do, but it’s a force of personality, and that’s what Jurgen Klopp has, that’s what Sir Alex Ferguson’s got.
“I think at the end of his [Klopp’s] time, it will feel like when Bill Shankly left Liverpool. The feeling with Liverpool supporters already is, ‘he’s not going to go in two years is he?’. People are already thinking about that now because of the effect he’s had on this football club.”
Reflecting on his own playing career, Carragher believes he never played under a manager of Klopp’s calibre. Having watched the likes of United and Chelsea win league titles because of the world-class managers they had in charge at the time, the former England international believes that Klopp is more important than any player within the Liverpool squad.
“I always think with the great managers, and we never had one [at Liverpool] who was acclaimed like a Ferguson, or what Jose [Mourinho] was at Chelsea, or what [Arsene] Wenger was at Arsenal, that’s what Klopp is right now,’ Carragher continued.
Read the full story HERE.
Cristiano Ronaldo's sisters and mother send message to Liverpool fans after Anfield gesture
The family of Cristiano Ronaldo have expressed their appreciation towards Liverpool supporters following last night's minute's applause at Anfield in memory of the Manchester United forward's son.
It was announced on Monday by Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez that their new-born son had tragically died, prompting Reds fans to propose the idea of a collective applause in the seventh minute of the match (representing the shirt number worn by the Portugal international).
Not involved in the Red Devils' matchday squad for last night's contest after requesting privacy at this difficult time, all those inside Anfield paid their respect in his absence and loudly sung 'You'll Never Walk Alone' to demonstrate a clear show of support to the 37-year-old.
The reception received at the home of the Reds did not go unnoticed by the family of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who were quick to recognise the value of this kind-hearted gesture. Ronaldo’s Madeira-based sister Elma showed her emotion overnight by posting the following message: “Thank you for this Liverpool. We will never forget what you did today."
Sibling Katia, posting from her home in Brazil, added: "Way beyond football" against her own video set against the chorus of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone'. The sisters and their mum Dolores Aveiro also demonstrated they are placing their faith in God to help them overcome the tragic loss that has afflicted the family.
Read the full story HERE.
