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Jurgen Klopp gets to work as new Liverpool boss by watching U18 team

Jurgen Klopp talks tactics with Academy Director Alex Inglethorpe during the Liverpool v Stoke City U18 game
Image: Jurgen Klopp talks tactics with Academy Director Alex Inglethorpe during the Liverpool v Stoke City U18 game

Jurgen Klopp has wasted no time in his new managerial role at Liverpool by watching the U18 team on Saturday.

The 48-year-old German may have been forgiven for taking a day off after his entertaining introduction to the world's media on Friday as the new Reds boss five months after his departure from Borussia Dortmund.

Having stated his ambitions to win a title with Liverpool within four years and describing himself as the 'normal one', it was probably no surprise to see him analysing the team's potential future stars play for the U18s on Saturday morning.

He joined academy director Alex Inglethorpe and U21 chief Michael Beale at Liverpool's Kirkby ground in enjoying the youngsters overcome Stoke 1-0 thanks to a first-half strike from Ovie Ejaria.

With six games lined up during the afternoon, it was expected Klopp would stick around to take in the surroundings and get to know some of his new colleagues.

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Klopp has set a four-year target to win the Premier League with Liverpool

Peter Krawietz, one of Klopp's assistants at Borussia Dortmund, was also present at Liverpool's ground. 

It has been a whirlwind two days for Klopp who flew into Merseyside on Thursday before being unveiled on Friday alongside chief executive Ian Ayre.

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New Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp (left) with Academy Director Alex Inglethorpe, U21 coach Michael Beale and First-Team Development Coach Pepijn Lijnders
Image: Klopp (left) with Inglethorpe, U21 coach Michael Beale and First-Team Development Coach Pepijn Lijnders

On Friday night Klopp was spotted relaxing with some locals in a city centre pub.

Liverpool moved swiftly to snare their man who had been on a sabbatical and chairman Tom Werner revealed that Klopp had been a long-term target for the club's owners Fenway Sports Group.

The American told the club's website: "We have thought about him for a long time and everyone who knows football knows he is an outstanding manager.

"Obviously, he motivates players and when we spoke to him we saw there was a great connection between his vision and what we want to do moving forward.

Jurgen Klopp (2nd left) with Academy Director Alex Inglethorpe, U21 coach Michael Beale and First-Team Development Coach Pepijn Lijnders
Image: Klopp and the coaching staff look on at Melwood

"It is very attractive football, attacking football. He has said that he doesn't want to put too much expectation on the near future but we all expect the players are going to respond to him.

"We came very close to winning the league two years ago. Nobody is satisfied with our position and as owners we are not going to put undue pressure on Jurgen.

Fergie on Klopp
Fergie on Klopp

Sir Alex Ferguson is worried about Jurgen Klopp!

"We all know the challenge that we saw when we came into the club five years ago and I think we are proud when we walked into the stadium and we showed Jurgen the new main stand that is being constructed. But until we win more trophies we won't be satisfied."

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