Jürgen Klopp Praises Brendan Rodgers Ahead the Ex-Liverpool Manager’s Anfield Return

It wasn’t a fantastic ending for Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool. The Northern Irishman managed the Reds from 2012 to 2015 when, following a lackluster start to the season and Jürgen Klopp’s sudden availability, he was sacked.

Klopp even moved into Brendan’s house once Rodgers left. He still lives there now. The German manager immediately improved Liverpool’s performances once he arrived as well as the general vibe around the club. But Klopp has backed Rodgers as a manager despite his release four years ago.

“He is doing really well – and to be honest, I am not surprised about that,” Klopp said.

“I knew when I came here that he was not the reason that things did not work out. Since then he has done an incredible job at Celtic and now at Leicester.

“A lot of players were in before him and are still there, but [he has made] good signings as well, really good signings, and a brilliant team. What they do is really good.

“I don’t have to say that because I think everybody knows it in the moment when you watch the Leicester games, it is just exciting, they are fresh, they are good. Just good.

“They defend well, play football and especially [their] counter-attacks are pretty threatening. The reception will be good, from my side and from the supporters as well, but still it is not a friendly game and that’s what we want to make sure.”

Rodgers should get a nice welcome at Anfield on Saturday. Regardless of how it ended, or even how it began, Brendan held the club’s and the team’s interests first. He backed his players publicly. He tried to play exciting attacking football. And he did his best. Liverpool just needed more.

So, he’ll get his respectful ovation but once the applause dies down, it’s go time.