Jürgen Klopp for Prime Minister

Jurgen Klopp is a great example to us all, regardless of what team you support. For me, he would make a brilliant Prime Minister. Whether it is selecting Caoimhin Kelleher for the Carabao Cup Final against Chelsea or defending for Thiago Alcantara when he was yet to show his best. Or buying Luis Diaz in the January transfer market when there was a strong voice suggesting it was a bad decision… 

Klopp’s leadership shows a genuine desire to put others first.

The players feel his support and care. The staff feel the same. The fans feel he understands them, and he puts the Club first. Other managers and teams show complete respect for him. He knows he is a custodian of the Club which serves to keep the team calm at the most defining moments. 

A prime example of this was Kelleher’s penalty kick to win the Carabao Cup, a special moment for Liverpool fans. Here was a young keeper who had bided his time for an opportunity to play. Klopp selected many young players in the early rounds of this Cup competition. In the Final, Klopp felt compelled to keep him in the team. Most would have gone for their strongest player, especially in goal. But not Klopp. He was more interested in sticking to his values of openness, loyalty, trust, and fairness. For him it was obviously right to keep Kelleher in the team. No concern or worry about what it would mean if the team lost - a moral decision. Winning isn’t as important as doing the right thing. An unbelievable message that players respond to whether they are in or out of the squad. It increases players likeability for him and trust in what he is doing. In turn, their commitment and enthusiasm continues to build. 

Consequently, when the moment arose in which Kelleher had to take a penalty to win the Cup, he looked relaxed and calm. When he scored at the most crucial of moments, it was poetic justice for a decision that was highly criticised. Leading through your values is difficult at times but it is the right thing to do! Klopp has shaped Kelleher’s future by being open and trusting him. What a gift. It was great to see the whole team running at Kelleher celebrating the success of winning but also acknowledging the bravery of the young understudy. Alisson the first-choice keeper was one of the first to celebrate with him. Amazing. 

It is also worth noting how Klopp engages with the media, especially when defending his players. Once again, his values of openness, loyalty, trust and fairness shine through. Under many questions about Thiago Alcantara, he stuck to his principles, refusing to waver on his commitment to a player he believed could make a big difference in the team. All the negativity about Thiago was ignored and Klopp continued to put his faith in him. Thiago is now playing at his very best. Dictating and influencing every Liverpool play. Thiago is an example of what Klopp, and his coaching staff do with many of their players. They are a supportive team that pride themselves on making their players better. This is something Klopp is first to acknowledge, as he did at the LMA Awards, where he received top honours. 

Klopp’s unique ability is to communicate and share his values. This is automatically reciprocated by every player.  We can see this at the end of a game, regardless of whether the team has won or lost, he embraces each player as if they are a long lost relative. With absolute synchronicity all individual players hug him back. There is a strong genuine warmth between him and his players which signify a deep level of togetherness.  It is not just about playing yet another game of football. Klopp finds a way to add extra meaning and importance to each game as if it is the only game to be played. His players know exactly what he expects from them and how he wants the team to play. Nothing appears taken for granted. Even when Salah and Mane were off to Afcon, he was able to manage the team in what could have been a difficult period. He has created a team that produce football on a higher level. An even more beautiful art form. 

It is therefore not surprising to see his players run with the kind of intensity of a schoolboy footballer. Their enthusiasm is like they are all playing their first game of football instead of it being their 63rd. Klopp gives his players not only permission to go out and express themselves freely, but he demands it! On top of this, he expects players to show world class technical execution alongside clear quick thinking as an entire group. It is breath-taking to watch world class footballers play with such calmness, freedom and joy. The FA Cup semi-final, for example, was simply an amazing performance from Liverpool. The players were so free and excited that Manchester City found it impossible to contain them. 

Klopp’s recruitment policy is another good example of his values in action. While many were asking whether it was wise for Liverpool to recruit players in January, he was convinced. Luis Diaz came into Liverpool, completely fitting in with the squad, as if he had been at the Club for years. This says everything about his character and how Liverpool selects players on values as well as footballing ability. Another example is Diogo Jota. Both players show all the values that Klopp expects. As a result, their fit within the team has been like a hand in a glove. Their physical intensity, technical ability and decision-making are all there to see. They have built an immediate natural connection to the team. The rhythm of their decision-making has been nothing more than outstanding. They have immediately recognised they are a part of something much bigger than themselves and they are hungry to play their part. I feel the players are ready for something special tomorrow. 

In conclusion, if Real Madrid get a tiny sniff of fear from Liverpool, like they did with PSG, Chelsea & Manchester City, Klopp’s team have the leadership values to deal with it to prevent any form of comeback. So regardless of the result tomorrow night, Klopp is a great leader in world football. He knows he is accountable and responsible in his position. He demands the same of his players. They have a high expectation to execute a performance.  The team is on purpose. There is a level of both individual and team calmness which underpins everything that will be displayed on the night. In addition, the empathy he shows with the fans runs deep. He understands them and ensures the team follow suit. Both Klopp and the team have been statesman like with the fans and football in general. Maybe after a win there will be more of those calling for Klopp to be Prime Minister!  His team and staff could be his Cabinet Ministers. What do you think?