Jurgen Klopp became an legend at Liverpool with his festive message speaking volumes to what the German was really like
Global Head of Soccer Jürgen Klopp gestures during the Presentation of Jürgen Klopp As Head Of Global Soccer Red Bull at Red Bull
Jurgen Klopp told his players to enjoy the festivities (Image: Marcel Engelbrecht - firo sportphoto, Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp once gave his team permission to let their hair down at their Christmas bash, even though they were struggling on the pitch. Rewind to December 2015, just over two months after Klopp had taken over from Brendan Rodgers who was sacked as manager in early October of that year.
From day one, the legendary German emphasised that togetherness and team morale were vital for the club's future prosperity, after the Reds had started to lose their way under the previous regime.
Though there was a slight improvement in performances following Klopp's arrival, Liverpool were still very much a developing side. With only a solitary victory in December, their festive celebrations came on the heels of a demoralising 3-0 thrashing at Watford, and many anticipated the Christmas do would be cancelled.
Klopp, though, had other ideas. Rather than scrapping the event, every player received a message from their boss which said: "Whatever we do together we do as well as we can and tonight that means we party."
The squad were also instructed they had to remain until at least 1am. In April 2017, Klopp discussed the significance of proceeding with the party, maintaining that both he and his players learned a valuable lesson about solidarity from the occasion.
"We had a good Christmas party afterwards, that's what I remember!" Klopp said. "I can't remember what I felt after that game."
The 2015 campaign was a pivotal season for Klopp in fostering a sense of unity that would eventually permeate the entire club and city. A challenging festive period saw Liverpool suffer a defeat to Newcastle United and a draw with West Brom, leading up to a loss at Vicarage Road.
The 2-2 stalemate with the Baggies became one of the defining moments of Klopp's tenure as Liverpool manager. It served as another testament to his commitment to repairing the bond between himself, his players, and the fans after years of disunity.
Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp (2L) leads his players in saluting the crowd with (L-R) Liverpool's English midfielder Jordon Ibe, Liverpool's Belgian striker Divock Origi, Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino, Liverpool's Zaire-born Belgian striker Christian Benteke and Liverpool's English midfielder James Milner after drawing the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion at Anfield in Liverpool, northwest England, on December 13, 2015. Liverpool drew 2-2 with West Brom.
Liverpool saluted the Kop after a 2-2 draw with West Brom in 2015
View 3 Images
A last-minute goal from Liverpool's cult hero Divock Origi led to Klopp joining hands with his players to celebrate in front of the Kop. The celebrations were mocked by many rival fans, given Liverpool hadn't actually won the match.
Yet, much like his Christmas party text message, it was another stride in the right direction. Speaking in the documentary, Doubters to Believers Liverpool FC : Klopp's Era, he said: "I saw it, people were still there, and we said thank you.
"And it was not on purpose in the sense of, come on, we have to do this, and that to bring the people', it was just the honest thing to do, what we felt. Thank you for supporting us until the last whistle."
Jurgen Klopp with the Premier League trophy
Jurgen Klopp with the Premier League trophy (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
View 3 Images
The Klopp effect was beginning to work its magic. Even former Red Adam Lallana admitted it was a watershed moment.
"It was extremely different for us. We'd never done an ole in front of the fans before," Lallana said. "Slightly embarrassed, I think, doing that. But the fans seeing his emotion and his passion on the sideline, they connected, and it soon changed the atmosphere at Anfield."
In the end, Klopp cultivated an intense sense of togetherness at the Reds that hadn't been witnessed since the days of legendary manager Bill Shankly. Yet the German's transformation didn't happen in an instant - it was built gradually, as his festive text message illustrated.
Step by step, Klopp reconstructed a club that had struggled both on and off the field in previous years. Within a decade, Liverpool had gone from facing the very real threat of administration and languishing in 19th place to Klopp guiding them to their sixth European Cup and securing the Premier League trophy for the first time in three decades.
Content Image
Content Image