Jurgen Klopp is well on his way to messiah status at Anfield. That may seem like an absurd thing to say after 100 days in the job but there's absolutely no doubting that he has every quality possible to go down as a Kenny Dalglish as opposed to a Roy Hodgson.
Whatever about the actual football that's played out on the pitch, the Klopp persona is such that he already has the Kop jumping to every tune in his rock music arsenal. He's the big, brash leader of a band that is infuriatingly inconsistent but every now and then they'll play a tune that is close to perfect and if you're sick of the music analogies, then you may want to stop reading.
Ahead of Sunday's clash with Man United, the Liverpool boss has been discussing the current troubles around Old Trafford with United managers past and present of particular interest. On Louis van Gaal he was as respectful as you'd expect him to be while suggesting that Liverpool certainly could exploit what they've seen from United over the past three games.
(He's) one of the most successful managers in the world, won a lot of titles, special idea of football, and as an opponent you have to respect this and work with the information.
Talk then turned to Alex Ferguson and Klopp delivered a knockout blow for many Liverpool fans.
I had really good moments with Sir Alex. It was an honour to talk with him. Maybe he's greatest ever - the John Lennon of football.
The response to that has largely been what you may expect, although it must be said it has been largely lighthearted.
@JamesPearceEcho Bob Paisley turns in his grave
— Greg (@GregTwomey_) January 15, 2016
Those are just a couple of the more publishable reactions but you get the point. It's certainly a ballsy move for a Liverpool manager to compare Alex Ferguson to John Lennon but perhaps he's letting everyone know that John Lennon wasn't even the best Beatle and is really just engaging in a very subversive bit of trolling. Granted, that's quite unlikely.
Away from discussions of the best Beatle, Klopp also addressed questions of his best striker or at least whichever one he can get on the pitch. The best may be Daniel Sturridge but it's fair to say the Liverpool boss is not planning on resting his hopes on the England international any time soon. Shane Long anyone?
See also: Shane Long Is Being Linked With The Biggest Irish Transfer For Quite Some Time
Is Sturridge fit? 'No.' Any idea when he'll be back? 'No.' Hmmm. @empireofthekop #LFC pic.twitter.com/LgSpVGrvp9
— Jordan Chamberlain (@Jordan_AC90) January 15, 2016
