Xabi Alonso has had his say on Jurgen Klopp’s tenure as Liverpool manager.
The Bayern Munich midfielder left Anfield in 2009 for Real Madrid, but remains a beloved figure amongst Liverpool fans after his five successful years with the club.
While some foreign players fail to adapt to English culture, Alonso undoubtedly understood what it meant to be a Liverpool player, and is still a fan of the club 12 years after signing for them from Real Sociedad.
The 34-year-old midfielder speaks like a true fan of Liverpool when assessing Jurgen Klopp’s time at the club so far, recognising the willingness of the German to integrate himself within the culture of the club, and his unique ability to endear himself to fans wherever he goes.
“It’s important to find the right man,” told ESPN.
“And I think that so far, in just a few months, he has embraced the Liverpool culture, what the club means, how the fans are, the passion you need to have to represent Liverpool. He’s a special character, I think, and that’s why he’s loving it so far. Hopefully, in the new season he can turn those good feelings into something more.”
Meanwhile, Klopp has revealed why he IS a fan of the club’s controversial new third kit, after its release went down like a lead balloon on social media.
🙌 Introducing the ‘Toxic Thunder’ @NBFootball 16/17 #LFC Third Kit
Buy: https://t.co/Lpt6XhKB84#MadeForLiverpool pic.twitter.com/HR19lZ32iM
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 28, 2016
The luminous green colour was not exactly well received but Klopp, in a bid to stem the kit-hatred festering among supporters, has claimed that he is a fan of the new strip.
“I can tell you I like it,” Klopp told reporters. “OK, it’s not Liverpool colours, I know, but if it’s not red I don’t care.
“It’s a nice colour. It’s fresh, it’s cool. The lads love it. They look good in it. They’re all a little bit tanned at the moment so it’s good.
“In my country, green is the colour of the hope. For me it’s green but I’m a little bit colour blind. When I think it’s green, it’s green for me. So it’s hope and let’s hope that everything will be good for us.”
