Jurgen Klopp has aimed a parting dig at Rio Ferdinand as he prepares to step down as Liverpool manager by claiming his recent interview with the Man United legend was ‘not good’.
The Reds boss is set to step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season following nine years at the club and will entertain the Anfield crowd for the final time on Sunday.
Liverpool host Wolves for Klopp’s final game in charge having already sealed a third place Premier League finish, with Feyenoord manager Arne Slot set to takeover in the summer.
Klopp has appeared more relaxed in recent weeks after Liverpool dropped out of the title race and attention turned to the German’s imminent departure and will face questions in a pre-match press conference at the club for the final time on Friday.
Meanwhile, Ferdinand’s success as a pundit has seen him gain access to managers and superstars at Man United and other rival clubs, recently attending Liverpool’s training ground to interview Klopp for TNT Sports.
Jurgen Klopp has aimed a parting dig at Rio Ferdinand as he prepares to step down as Liverpool manager
Ferdinand once claimed Liverpool’s Premier League winning season should have been deemed ‘null and void’
Klopp will leave Liverpool in the summer having previously led the club to a first Premier League title
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Klopp has now dug Ferdinand out after remembering that the serial title-winner with United had previously called for the season to be ended early when Liverpool won their first – and only – Premier League title.
Liverpool were top of the table during the 2019/20 season when the global coronavirus pandemic halted football and a decision had to be made on whether to restart the season.
Ferdinand at the time called for the season to end prematurely and be determined ‘null and void’. It didn’t and Liverpool went on to win a first Premier League crown amidst covid regulations stopping fans from properly celebrating their side’s triumph.
Klopp now hitting back in an interview with Liverpool fan channel Redmen TV.
Klopp will say farewell to Anfield for the final time in Sunday’s Premier League finale against Wolves
‘Rio Ferdinand I think said it, ‘I think you should null and void the league,’ he said.
‘I forgot that actually that he was [the one who said that] because I gave him an interview only recently… it was not a good interview anyway.’
The Anfield maestro will likely be emotional when he steps out in front of Liverpool’s faithful for the final time on Sunday afternoon.
He will spend some well-earned time away from football, while the Reds prepare for a new chief to step into the hotseat, knowing they will have Champions League football to contend with next season.
