Jurgen Klopp names chastised former Liverpool striker he’d love to sign
Jurgen Klopp namechecked an “incredible” former Liverpool striker regularly berated for his miserable Anfield spell as someone he’d love to coach in 2021.
Since taking charge at Anfield, Klopp has rarely had a decision to make with regards to his centre-forward. Daniel Sturridge was often on the treatment table, leaving Roberto Firmino as the number one candidate until Diogo Jota’s arrival.
However, speaking on the YouTube channel of Klopp’s former club Mainz, he revealed he’d love to coach a former Liverpool striker if given the chance in 2021.
The unlikely figure of Andriy Voronin was cited, with the Ukrainian enjoying better times under Klopp’s stewardship at Mainz in the early 2000s.
Voronin later spent three years on Liverpool’s books between 2007-10. He bagged just six goals in 40 outings in a spell characterised by poor finishing and all-round underachievement.
When asked which ex-Mainz player he’d sign if starting out their career today, Klopp said: “Andriy Voronin.
“If Andriy had known just one day in his life how good he could have been, it would have been absolutely amazing. Andriy was an incredible player, an incredible talent.
“Actually, I was a little unfair. In my first year as coach, I think my first full season as coach especially, I would always only sub him on. And then Andriy came to my room during the training camp and asked, ‘Kloppo, why do I never start?’
“I said, ‘Do you want the honest answer?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ So I said, ‘Because you don’t complain when you don’t start!’
“He replied, ‘Fair enough!’ And he carried on not starting.”
A lack of selfishness may have hampered his early days at Mainz, but Voronin outlined more pressing issues that scuppered his career at Liverpool.
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Voronin couldn’t understand scouse accent
Speaking to online outlet Goal in the summer, Voronin outlined several reasons why his Liverpool spell didn’t work.
The biggest issue, per the current Dynamo Moscow assistant coach, was the Liverpool accent.
“Scouse. I understood almost nothing,” said Voronin. “My English wasn’t good anyway. When Carragher and Gerrard talked, I asked them to repeat it in English.
“Liverpool didn’t suit me as a city overall, even though it has a lot of history to offer, such as the Beatles. My father is a big fan of the band.
“When I told him I had signed with Liverpool, he started crying. I also couldn’t cope with the weather and the rhythm of the games without a winter break. I was just traveling and playing, which was very exhausting.”
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