What Liverpool players have said about Jürgen Klopp from 'father figure' to 'inspirational leader'

Liverpool is preparing to bid farewell to one of its greatest ever managers in Jürgen Klopp. The German will bow out after Sunday's match with Wolves, with Liverpool supporters and players paying tribute.

It is sure to be an emotional occasion after Klopp's incredible nine years at the helm. He led the club to the Champions League and Premier League and will leave a lasting legacy at Anfield.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Klopp admitted it had been 'the most intense week' of his life, adding: "A decade in your life is a massive one and I will not forget a day in that time because I met the best people I ever met and I did it for the best club I could have imagined."

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Liverpool's players have also paid emotional tributes to their outgoing boss, who will be replaced by Arne Slot at Anfield next season. Here is what current members of the squad have had to say about Klopp and his impact on their careers.

Virgil van Dijk

"He got me to Liverpool and that is one of the biggest things of my career. I am forever grateful for that opportunity. He obviously helped me and made me the player I am today. I am always grateful for him for helping me on that difficult journey," Van Dijk told Sky Sports.

Speaking to Press Association, the Dutchman added: "He wanted me and me only, he felt I was a big part of the success that could happen and I could definitely contribute to that. I am glad that it all went well."

Trent Alexander-Arnold

"A strange blend of intimidating and very welcoming. He is very smiley, very happy and loves to see young players around. Watching him on the touchline and seeing the man he is — emotional and sometimes angry — was quite intimidating. He is a lot taller than what people think too," he told Sky Sports.

"I have never been around a person like him before. I have never seen or experienced someone who can inspire and motivate at the click of a fingers. If he told me today it was snowing today, I would believe him!

"I was fortunate to have a manager who wanted to play young players, who saw something in me. I will forever be indebted to him."

Mohamed Salah

"He improved me as a player for sure and we have helped each other a lot. We give everything for the club to win trophies. As a human being, he is a person who, if I was in trouble, I would give a call to and ask for his opinion. I think we will keep that communication for life as it is not just a relationship for work. We will stay in contact forever," Salah told Sky Sports.

Alisson

"He had a huge impact on my career,” Alisson told ESPN Brasil. “He was the guy who provided all of this, being able to experience everything I've experienced in recent years in football, reaching this high level, getting to where I am, achieving what I've achieved.

"He was the guy who opened the doors for me, because Liverpool gave me these achievements. I have a very good relationship with him. We have a compatibility of beliefs, our vision of the world is practically similar and even our vision of football So, I believe this makes coexistence easier.

"I believe in what he believes. So what he asks, not only for me, but for the athletes here, is a rule, because we believe in what he says."

Alisson also told Sky Sports: "Jürgen is a special guy for me personally. In the darkest moments of my life, when I lost my dad, he was very close and helped me a lot. I improved as a man, as a father and as a friend because I had him as a leader. We have to follow good people and I am so glad that I could have a manager and leader like him."

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Curtis Jones

Speaking after the win over Chelsea in February, Jones told TNT Sports: "He means everything, I’ve already said that he’s like a father, to not just me and the team but the whole city and he means a lot. I came into the team as a young lad and the players were world class. He was the man who called me in, whether I was doing well or could do more, and told me where to improve."

Joe Gomez

After being called up to the England squad in March, Gomez said: "The gaffer at the club is one of a kind and I obviously owe a lot to him. He has been probably the biggest influence on my career, or definitely. He has obviously been a massive influence on me, not just as a player but as a person."

Harvey Elliott

"He has given me the confidence to go out and play football. He has given me pointers on where to improve to take me to the next level. He is always there by my side, no matter what. He is like a father-figure, whatever your problem is, you can go to him," Elliott told Sky Sports.

"He is an amazing person to be around and I have learned so much from him. He has made my dreams come true."

Diogo Jota

"I came to sign for Liverpool with my girlfriend and he spoke to her. He really cares about us all. He didn't want me to sit on the bench and told me to challenge for a place and score goals. I knew I had his belief from the start of my Liverpool career," Jota told Sky Sports.

Conor Bradley

"He has been a massive part of my football journey. He has given me my first chance and my breakthrough so I owe everything to him. I want to cherish every bit left as he is one of the best managers in the world," Bradley said to Sky Sports.