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Alisson Becker uses José Mourinho nickname to describe Jürgen Klopp

Alisson Becker of Liverpool during the warm-up before the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on May 19, 2024 in Liverpool, England.


Jürgen Klopp said it 'wouldn't be fair' to pick a stand-out from the tributes he has received in his final days at Liverpool. But if we were giving out prizes, the words of Alisson Becker would surely rank highly.

Always thoughtful and articulate, Alisson brought tears to the eyes of many a Liverpool fan in a video message detailing the impact the manager has had on him. He credited Klopp for making him a better man and a better father, also praising the manager for being there for him when his own father passed away.

Speaking on the pitch after the match against Wolves at Anfield, Alisson once again reflected on Klopp's impact. This time, he co-opted a José Mourinho nickname to describe Klopp.

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"Jürgen is a special one," Alisson said to Sky Sports. "He said when he came here, he is the Normal One, but he is definitely a special one for us, for the players who played under his leadership.

"I think he's a natural leader. His passion, his desire to win things, to achieve things as well. But he just [doesn't] do things thinking about the achievements, but he thinks about the personal side of the players. He wants to do everything [so] that the players feel good to play for his team.

"I will have so many memories, good memories. I am so thankful and grateful that I had the opportunity to work under Jürgen Klopp."

Klopp achieved not one but two immortal soundbites in his very first press conference. The 'Normal One' tag, a nod to Mourinho labelling himself the Special One, has stuck fast. Meanwhile, his rallying cry of 'doubters to believers' has certainly been fulfilled — he was sent on his way by a stadium full of believers at Anfield, a spirit he urged them all to carry into the Arne Slot era.

Liverpool.com says: Alisson is right. Klopp endeared himself to everyone by adapting Mourinho's famous nickname, but in the end, he certainly turned out to be special. He just didn't need to put the label on himself.

Yet at the same time, Klopp has remained normal. He is a normal person who has achieved special things, and that's part of what has made Liverpool fall in love with him so much. Fans will try and take up his rallying cry to get behind Slot, but there's no denying the void the German will leave behind. A legend left Anfield today.