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Jurgen Klopp admits he would quit Liverpool after winning the Premier League if his heart told him to go

Klopp believes he has a seven-year shelf life at Anfield and cannot envisage managing the club for as long as Arsene Wenger has at Arsenal

Timothy Abraham
Thursday 21 December 2017 15:01 GMT
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Jurgen Klopp wants to leave Liverpool on a high
Jurgen Klopp wants to leave Liverpool on a high (Getty)

Jurgen Klopp admits he would quit Liverpool after winning the Premier League title if his heart told him it was the right time to go.

Klopp believes he has a seven-year shelf life at Anfield and cannot envisage managing the club for as long as Arsene Wenger has at Arsenal.

Wenger celebrated 21 years in charge of the Gunners in October while Klopp has been at Liverpool for just over two years.

The Frenchman has been criticised by sections of Arsenal supporters for his apparent stubborn refusal to stand aside.

And ahead of Friday’s clash at the Emirates Stadium Klopp claims he would not want to outstay his welcome with Liverpool.

He said: “Even if you win something, which everyone here is desperately waiting for, it could be the moment I say ‘OK, but now we have to leave it’.

“Stay here 20 years? I don’t know. So far after seven years (at a club) I’ve felt maybe I should move on.

“I don’t feel I am close to that moment and everything is fine. But it would be quite difficult to become the record coach at Liverpool.

“So far I think I have a very good feeling for these moments. In both situations, I think it was the right moment for both sides, for both parties, the clubs and me.

“It feels really good at the moment and hopefully it can stay like that long term.

“But if anyone thinks they can make a similar career like Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger in clubs, I’m not sure it would be possible.”

Arsene Wenger has shown no inclination to leave Arsenal (Getty)

Wenger last won the Premier League 13 years ago and since that title in 2003-04 the Gunners have only won the FA Cup on three occasions.

But Klopp defended Wenger’s management of the Gunners and believes one of the league’s elder statesman deserves more respect for his achievements.

“I think Arsene gets a lot of criticism. I’ve seen it since I’ve been in England and for sure, it’s not right,” Klopp added.

“But he’s still there and he’s doing a brilliant job again. Top five, six, fighting for fourth and being involved in different cup competitions and things like that.

“He’s obviously still very ambitious and as long as you feel that, you can stay.

“If you are the only part who likes it, that’s wrong. It needs to be a perfect fit. We feel that here at Liverpool in this moment and I’m sure for the next few years, but you cannot force anything to happen. It needs to feel right for everybody.”

Klopp, meanwhile, also reckons Brazil forward Roberto Firmino sets the bar of consistency for Liverpool’s attacking players.

Firmino is arguably the least heralded member of Liverpool’s ‘Fab Four’ also featuring Mohamed Salah, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane.

But Klopp claims the 26-year-old is a standard bearer with his performance levels and commitment on the pitch.

“He is a role model with a great attitude. He never gives up and not only on his brilliant days, also on his average days,” added the German.

“Even then Roberto is working outstanding and that’s pretty rare for an offensive player.

“He is involved in pretty much all our movements. He opens a gap and keeps the whole defence busy.

“Roberto opens the wing for the other players or he uses the space on the wing when other players come inside so for us he is unbelievably important of course.”

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