Who would have thought that both Jürgen Klopp and David Moyes would quit their respective clubs when the season started? Our boss was working on a brand new project at Anfield, while the West Ham manager had just won the Europa League Conference.
Klopp’s departure from Liverpool came as a shock in January, while throughout the spring it has become more and more clear that Moyes does not want to sign a new contract at the London Stadium. Two Premier League legends are thus leaving the league at the end of May.
It also became a topic of conversation at Klopp’s press conference before this weekend’s game.
– He is one of the best colleagues. We haven’t had time to spend that much time together, but over the years we’ve talked a lot before games. I like him a lot, respect him a lot, and I think he does a ridiculously good job, said the German.
The tribute continues
After tens of games against David Moyes’s men, Klopp knows well what awaits his red team in London today: A talented team, with Jarrod Bowen at the helm.
– I like their team very much. Offensive, talented and good buy. Bowen is one of my favorite players, but I’ve said that many times before. He has had an absolutely enormous development since the Hull era. Kudus is super talented, Paqueta, Michail Antonio. When Bowen has to play at his best, they also find other solutions. Ward-Prowse, a super smart signing.
Then the Liverpool boss continued to pay tribute to his managerial colleague, including for getting West Ham into the match with the best Premier League teams.
– I heard a press conference with David (Moyes) once, and then I was asked what he wanted to achieve. There are six teams in the league (the established six) who will always be ahead of West Ham. Not all of them are, but I would say they should be. Then seventh place is pretty much the best you can achieve. They have managed that, and even better than that for a couple of seasons, Klopp continued.
The Liverpool manager was initially asked about West Ham as a team, but rather a kind of tribute to David Moyes instead. This is what he said about today’s match:
– I’m not saying that they need to show a reaction, but that they should want to show it. It’s not up to me to tell them what to show. I can wish for a lot, but not for them to show any reaction.
West Ham – Liverpool kicks off at 1.30 p.m., and is broadcast live on V Sport PL and Viaplay.