Much is made of the bond Jurgen Klopp forms with his players. Shinji Kagawa, for example, wept in his arms for twenty minutes after he left Dortmund for Manchester United. Klopp has seemed to form an instant bond with Adam Lallana, as the English forward collapsed into his manager's arms on the touchline during Klopp's first game in charge against Tottenham. Klopp's appointment has also made a noticeable impact on Lallana's performances in the last couple of months. Despite his upturn in form, however, Lallana has been linked with a move to Spurs, to once again work under former manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Not that these rumours seemed to bother Jurgen Klopp, and he decided to address them during an interview Lallana gave ahead of the Europa League final. Klopp hung around outside the interview room for much of the interview, and ultimately couldn't help himself, and interrupted to instruct the journalists to "ask him if he knows when Spurs start pre-season training". Lallana then responded "too late, we have already spoken about that", to which Klopp rejoined with his trademark cavernous laugh "I asked him and he said 1 July!".
Lallana went on to say that Klopp's main effect has been to "make him feel more appreciated", which is a natural consequence of Klopp's proclivity for bear hugs and gags like this.
It is important for Lallana he retains a good relationship with his boss: they are next door neighbours, as Klopp moved into Brendan Rodgers old house in Formby. It is also worth pondering what relations were like when Rodgers was living next door to Lallana. The midfielder must have had an incredibly awkward conversation when Rodgers was packing up his car and moving out. If such a conversation took place, it deserved the Curb Your Enthusiasm soundtrack overhead.
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