Why Jurgen Klopp chose Liverpool over Manchester United

Jurgen Klopp has explained why he felt Liverpool were the perfect fit for him and not Manchester United.

The German turned down the chance to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 and was appointed at Liverpool just over two years later.

Klopp and Liverpool come across as a match made in heaven, and the connection between the charismatic 50-year-old and the Anfield crowd has been there for all to see during their stunning run to the Champions League final.

Speaking to The Mirror, Klopp explained that speaking to Liverpool felt like he was talking to a football club, which was not the case elsewhere.

READ MORE: Rashford writes moving tribute on anniversary of Manchester Arena attack

READ MORE: Klopp key to controlling Liverpool emotions – Alonso

“I had talks with other clubs and they didn’t sound like a football club,” he explained.

“It sounded like marketing, image, you need to sign this, you need to sign that. And I thought ‘wow, that’s not the game I love’.

“It’s all part of football, but it cannot be the number one, two, three, four, priority. First of all please try to improve the game we play.

“And that’s what I am good in. All the rest can happen but it’s not so important for me.”

On Liverpool, he added: “I love the history. I really am a football romantic. I knew I probably can help. They maybe really need me, in this time. I know what I’m good at.

READ MORE: It has been a crazy ride – Klopp proud of Liverpool ahead of Champions League showdown

READ MORE: Liverpool youngster Alexander-Arnold not overwhelmed by England call-up

“When they told me about the problems they had I thought ‘OK, yeah, I am probably the really right manager for that club’.

“A little thing. Liverpool is a world class brand, big, big, big, but in Melwood, it is still a family, nothing else, and you can go in and feel that.

“I have to develop and improve, sure, but I don’t want to go into the office in the morning to wear a tie. That is not me.

“So when you see the pictures – and I realise it as well, by the way – I look still like a player… that’s not cool, but that’s me. I go in with a baseball cap and they still respect me, I don’t have to act in a specific way.

“They took me like I am, they didn’t ask me to do anything else, so I could focus from the first day completely on football.

“It is a football club. A FOOTBALL club.”