Echo

Jurgen Klopp's instruction to Liverpool stars before Christmas party spoke volumes

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Jurgen Klopp became an icon at Liverpool with his festive text message showing his true coloursFormer Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp once instructed his squad of stars to enjoy their Christmas party, despite being in the midst of a poor run of form. Rewind to December 2015, just a little after two months after Klopp had taken over from Brendan Rodgers who was sacked as manager in early October of that year.From the off, the iconic German manager stressed that camaraderie and team spirit were crucial to the long-term health and success of the club, after the Reds had begun to flounder under their former boss.Despite a gradual uplift in performances under Klopp after he took charge, Liverpool were still very much a work in progress.



With just one win in December, their Christmas party came off the back of a humbling 3-0 defeat away to Watford and many feared, and expected, the Reds' festive bash would be put on ice.READ MORE: 'Ten minute' warning issued to Liverpool fans attending games at AnfieldREAD MORE: I've worked with Mo Salah and Jamie Carragher – this is what I think of Liverpool icon's rantKlopp, however, thought differently. Speaking in April 2017, Klopp revealed the impact on going ahead with the party, insisting that he and his players took a lesson in unity from the get-together.“We had a good Christmas party afterwards, that’s what I remember!” Klopp said.

It proved to be another example of how he was focused on mending the connection between himself, his players and the fans after years of discord.Thanks to a stoppage time goal from Liverpool cult hero Divock Origi, Klopp joined hands with his players to celebrate in front of the Kop. Speaking in the documentary, Doubters to Believers Liverpool FC: Klopp's Era, he said: “I saw it, people were still there, and we said thank you.“And it was not on purpose in the sense of, 'come on, we have to do this, and that to bring the people', it was just the honest thing to do, what we felt.