Jurgen Klopp Press Conference: Key Takeaways, Comments from Liverpool Unveiling

New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp addressed the assembled media for the first time on Friday, revealing he will have the final word on transfers. The German also branded himself as the "Normal One" and insisted he is not looking to measure himself against the club’s previous managerial greats.

Klopp was confirmed as the Reds chief on Thursday, signing a three-year deal at Anfield. The new boss was quizzed on Liverpool’s much-maligned transfer committee early on in the press conference. While Klopp insisted the committee will play an important role, he was adamant he will have the final say on which players go in and out the door at Anfield.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

“It was not a problem for 10 seconds,” he said, per Hamish Mackay of the Daily Mirror. “We talked about it but I’m not an idiot. For me it’s enough that I have the first and last word [on transfers]. I need the other people [on the committee] to get the perfect information. It’s really easy to handle this.”

Klopp was also asked to describe himself, with a reference made to current Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho suggesting he was a “Special One” when joining the Blues in 2004. By contrast, Klopp’s response was typically humble, per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo:

Here's a listen to what Klopp had to say in full in answer to that particular question, per audioboom.com:

Liverpool are a club synonymous with great managers, with men like Bob Paisley, Bill Shankly and Kenny Dalglish some of the most successful in the history of the English game. But Klopp insisted he was not looking to replicate their achievements, per BBC Sport:

Perhaps with those illustrious figures in mind, expectations have run wild among the Liverpool faithful since it was confirmed Klopp would be taking over. After all, having hauled Borussia Dortmund from mid-table obscurity to two Bundesliga titles, there are plenty of hopes on Merseyside that he can do the same with the Reds.

PATRIK STOLLARZ/Getty Images

The new Liverpool boss revealed he hopes to have won at least one major honour with the club in the next four seasons, per Ben Smith of BBC Sport:

It’s the first job Klopp has taken on since he left Dortmund at the end of the previous campaign. He revealed that the prestige of the Reds attracted him to the football club, but he also insisted the club’s storied history shouldn’t be a burden.

“History is only the base for us,” said Klopp, per Mackay. “It’s not allowed that you take the history in your backpack. Not always compared with other times. Only state—this is a great team. Everything is there. Let’s try to start a new. This is the perfect moment.” 

PAUL ELLIS/Getty Images

For many, Klopp and Liverpool fans are a perfect marriage. Both the supporters and the manager are emotive in their approach to the game, have lofty ambitions and like to see their team play a particular brand of football.

The unique nature of football fans from the area is something Klopp admitted attracted him to take on the role and encouraged the club’s fanbase to start believing this team can achieve great things once again, per Tony Barrett of the Times:

There will be challenges for Klopp to deal with in his position as the Reds boss, though. There will be major pressure on him to succeed at the club given his reputation and there is a lot of work to be done to turn this team from also-rans into title challengers again.

PAUL ELLIS/Getty Images

He will also have to learn to adjust to a new kind of football and a different culture, especially the level of scrutiny in the press, as he touched upon himself in the media briefing, per Pearce:

James Olley of the London Evening Standard was impressed with the manner in which Klopp conducted himself during his debut presser as Liverpool boss:

One of the key challenges for Klopp will be using his revered silver tongue in English, which is not his first language, instead of German. But when he speaks, it’s very difficult not to be bewitched by the clarity, passion and composure with which he talks about football.

While Klopp has forged his reputation as one of football’s most popular managers on bravado and humour, there was a more serious side on show in this press conference. There’s clearly a steely determination about the Reds boss to take on this new challenge to raise this proud institution of English football back to the summit of the game.