Jurgen Klopp’s comments on Liverpool future as Barcelona consider move

Ronald Koeman’s sacking as Barcelona manager on Wednesday had unexpected implications for Liverpool, as Jurgen Klopp was linked to the Spanish giants. Klopp has been with the club for six years and is under contract with the Reds until June 2024 – and he has already addressed rumours over his future.

Liverpool have started the 2021/22 season in fantastic form under the German manager.

They are the only unbeaten club in the Premier League and have won all three of their Champions League group games so far.

Their 5-0 thrashing of rivals Manchester United last weekend was an undoubted high point of the campaign so far and Klopp is unlikely to be thinking about leaving Merseyside just yet.

However, a recent report in Spanish newspaper Sport has caused a bit of a stir, with Barca’s ‘big dream’ said to be to appoint Klopp in the future.

Former midfielder Xavi is the favourite to take over from Koeman, but could Klopp be on the Catalan club’s cards in the future?

Here is everything you need to know about Klopp’s plans for whenever his stint with Liverpool comes to an end.

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“That’s a long, long time actually in football, and I hope that we are as successful as somehow possible in our time here.

“I am not even with one toe in the period after my career. I am fully here, full of energy, I want to go as far as possible. And let’s see where we can end up.”

Pursuing a normal life

The 54-year-old has been in management since 2001, having spent seven years with Mainz and Borussia Dortmund before moving to Merseyside in 2015.

He is therefore relishing the opportunity to relax and take some time away from football when he eventually leaves Liverpool.

“When the contract in Liverpool ends, whenever it will be, I first have to find out what it is like to lead a ‘normal’ life again,” Klopp told RTL in September.

“A year off. I’ve never had that. But I’m deeply relaxed there. When you’re out for a year, it can also be a good thing that maybe no cock crows at me, which is perfectly fine.

“What I do is unbelievable fun. I really enjoy what I do. The only problem is that in my job you have no end of the day, no chance to switch off. Do I really have to have that into old age? I don’t know.”

“But when I came out the plane today I regret already that we don’t live here because the weather is so much better here. We were freezing. I have a gilet with me so you are blessed. We do it the hard way.”

In the same press conference he was also asked whether he identified the most with Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.

“They are three good football clubs,” he replied. “I would like to say that I fit into all of them to be honest 100 per cent.

“The only problem is I have no time and my Spanish is really bad so you would not enjoy having me in Spain and then I always speak this broken Spanish.”