Jurgen Klopp hails Roy Hodgson as his ‘inspiration’ in management ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Crystal Palace… but jokes he won’t be going until 76 like the Eagles boss

• Roy Hodgson is an inspiration for Jurgen Klopp’s football management career 
• Klopp even managed to mention him in the same breath as Arrigo Sacchi
• There’s a lot of anger at Man United – it’s them against the world! Listen to It’s All Kicking Off

Jurgen Klopp insists Roy Hodgson was an inspiration to him when he first started in management – but he always asks the Crystal Palace boss why he is still in the dugout at the age of 76.

Klopp’s tongue-in-cheek comments came after the Palace boss has faced intense scrutiny for a run of just one win in the last eight games. The Liverpool manager, who was nine when Hodgson took his first job, used to study videos of Hodgson’s tactics.

And ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday, Klopp even used the former England manager in the same sentence as visionary Italian coach Arrigo Sacchi, who won two European Cups and a Serie A during a glory era for AC Milan.

‘When Roy was in Switzerland, he implemented a 4-4-2, so my former manager Wolfgang Frank showed us a lot of videos of him,’ said Klopp. ‘It was Ariggo Sacchi and Roy Hodgson. That was the first time he crossed my way.

‘I am really pleased I met him here in the Premier League because he’s an outstanding person and a really nice man. When I see him I ask him, “What are you doing here?!” But he looks happy, enjoying it.

Jurgen Klopp has named Crystal Palace’s Roy Hodgson as one of his managerial inspirations 

He said his former coach would show him clips of Roy Hodgson and Arrigo Sacchi’s teams

The German coach also described Hodgson as a ‘great guy’ who he ‘couldn’t respect more’

Your browser does not support iframes.

‘Not so happy when he’s losing games. But I couldn’t respect him more. He was my inspiration… but he’s not inspiring me to work in the job that long! I don’t know how he’s doing that to be honest. Great guy.’

Klopp also gave an injury update ahead of Liverpool’s trip to south London, stating that Alexis Mac Allister is likely to miss the match after suffering a nasty gash on his knee following a bad tackle at Sheffield United on Wednesday night.

But goalkeeper Alisson Becker is in the frame to return after missing the last two weeks with a hamstring injury sustained at Manchester City. Diogo Jota, Andy Robertson, Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic remain on the treatment table, with Joel Matip now out for the season.

‘Alisson looks good – not sure if good enough for tomorrow,’ said Klopp. ‘Macca doesn’t look good, we will have to see. It is not that serious but we’re in the period of the year where if you’re out for five days it’s 12 games pretty much!’

Matip, who ruptured his ACL during the win over Fulham last weekend, is likely to miss the remainder of the season and will require surgery. The situation is complicated by the fact the 32-year-old is out of contract in the summer – but Klopp says the club will show its ‘class’.

‘I’m pretty sure the club will show their class,’ he said. ‘I am pretty sure they told Joel already, whatever happens. He deserves all the support he will get. (New contract?) I would say so but it’s not my decision.’

Asked if Liverpool might try to sign a defender to fill in with Matip a long-term absentee, Klopp added: ‘Tell me a club that wants to sell a top, top, top centre-half. We have known for four or five days that Joel will be out for a long time, there are still four centre halves, that’s all right.

‘Is it now perfect? As long as we can go with them four, yes. As long as clubs don’t put (defenders) under the Christmas tree for us… I don’t know. I don’t think so (signing a defender) to be honest.’

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson could return to the fold against Palace after a hamstring injury 

Klopp was less optimistic about Alexis Mac Allister after he came off against Sheffield United

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Source: Read Full Article