During his time at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp worked with numerous world-class footballers, transforming the team from a mid-table outfit into a Premier League winner. The German manager is renowned for his ability to identify players at a reasonable price and elevate them to star status — exemplified by the famous attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino.
Now, Klopp has embarked on a new chapter in his career, taking the reins of the Germany national team following the 2026 World Cup. He faces the challenge of competing for the UEFA Nations League title in the 2026/27 season and preparing the squad for Euro 2028.
Recently, the German manager participated in a unique press conference where he was quizzed not by seasoned journalists but by young fans of the national team. One of the questions posed to Klopp was to name the best footballer he has coached throughout his career.
The coach provided a surprising and humorous response:
I have coached a lot of great players, so I honestly don’t want to make a choice.
He then asked the kids if they knew Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, to which they responded enthusiastically. However, when Firmino’s name was mentioned, an awkward silence fell over the room, prompting Klopp to jovially add:
Then it’s him.
In this light-hearted exchange, Klopp singled out Roberto Firmino as the best player of his tenure at Anfield. The Brazilian enjoyed a remarkable career with Liverpool, netting 111 goals and providing 72 assists in 362 appearances for the club.
