Jurgen Klopp has reignited the fierce rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United with a blunt dismissal of the Red Devils. In an exclusive interview with GOAL, the former Anfield manager was asked to choose between the New York Knicks and United in a rapid-fire comparison exercise. Without hesitation, Klopp sided with the NBA franchise—a calculated snub that delighted the Liverpool faithful while stinging Old Trafford supporters.
The German tactician's allegiance to Merseyside runs deep. Throughout his tenure at Liverpool, Klopp transformed the club into mentality monsters, and his contempt for United reflects the intensity of their Premier League battles. Despite United's status as 20-time English league champions and one of football's most storied institutions, Klopp's loyalty to Liverpool proved unwavering. His choice of the Knicks over United appeared deliberate and tongue-in-cheek, a final jab at a club he had battled countless times in the Premier League.
Klopp's Liverpool Squad Trumps the Bulls Dynasty
The conversation escalated when Klopp was asked to pit his Champions League-winning Liverpool side against the Chicago Bulls' legendary second three-peat era of the 1990s. The comparison seemed designed to humble even the most confident manager, yet Klopp displayed the same unwavering self-belief that defined his Liverpool project. He immediately selected his own squad over Michael Jordan's basketball dynasty, a bold declaration that underscores the immense pride he carries for the team he built from the ground up. Since 1999, no Premier League manager had won the European Cup with an English club before Klopp achieved it in 2019—a historic accomplishment that validates his confidence.
When the discussion turned to the GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Michael Jordan, Klopp took a diplomatic approach. Rather than disrespecting either sporting icon, the former Dortmund boss opted for humor, combining their names in a lighthearted response: "Michael Messi. Lionel Jordan." The quip showcased his personality beyond tactics—a reminder that even in retirement, Klopp remains sharp and competitive, never losing sight of the passion that made him one of football's most captivating figures.
These comments reveal a manager still deeply invested in his Liverpool legacy, unwilling to grant United or anyone else undeserved credit while the embers of competition still burn brightly within him.
