Jurgen Klopp gets so cocky after winning games of paddle tennis at Liverpool’s training ground that he struts around like UFC superstar Conor McGregor, says Klopp’s assistant Pep Ljinders.
The Liverpool coaching staff picked up the unique form of tennis on a trip to Tenerife and it has become a fixture at Melwood ever since.
Klopp loves the game and takes it very seriously, fighting for victories on the court and celebrating them when they come.
Ljinders says there is serious competition on the court, built for them by the Reds owners, and there are bragging rights on offer every time they pick up the rackets.
‘We started playing about four years ago during our training camp in Tenerife,’ Ljinders told the Mirror.
‘When we got back, the owners built a court for us at Melwood and now we are playing this game almost every day at our training centre.
‘Jurgen is fanatical about it – and he’s good, too. But we never say he’s the best out loud – otherwise he starts to walk round like Conor McGregor.
‘He battles for every point, with massive focus, too. Even when I am winning, he gets right under my skin.
‘So when I do beat him, I let everyone at the club hear about it!’
There has been plenty to celebrate on the football pitch, not just the paddle tennis court, which Ljinders has also been enjoying over the last year.
‘There has been a lot of mystique around our Premier League title,’ said the Dutchman.
‘First the club and the fans have to wait for 30 years, then Liverpool win the Champions League, the European Super Cup, the World Club Cup and finally the Premier League.
‘All that in one year! It’s been truly amazing.’
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