Barnes: Klopp has an identity with his club
John Barnes has no doubts that Jürgen Klopp will embrace the Anfield traditions and enjoy a great relationship with the Liverpool supporters.
The Borussia Dortmund faithful took the Reds new boss to their hearts during his time at the Westfalenstadion as he brought them back-to-back Bundesliga title wins.
Anfield legend Barnes is excited by the appointment and he insists Liverpool are in good hands with Klopp.
“I think it’s a good appointment and I think it’s a good fit,” said Barnes.
“He’s very enthusiastic and I think the fans will like him, because not only is he humble but he has an affiliation and a feeling, and an identity with his football club.
“He had that affinity with Dortmund, and with Mainz before that, and it will be the same with Liverpool because he is a believer in identifying with the fans of the club he works for, and the players he works for.
“Also his character because even though he’s a very successful manager he’s not a flash manager and he wears his heart on his sleeve.
“He’s a bit of a socialist in his outlook. I’m not going to say he’s like Bill Shankly obviously, but in terms of the relationship he has with the community of the football club, which means the players, the hierarchy, the fans, the city, I think he will really embrace it in its entirety.
“I think for Liverpool fans, that is much more important than in any other city.
“If you go to London and become manager of Chelsea they don’t really care if you have an affiliation with the area or the fans – it’s more to do with the fact if he can get them success.
“Liverpool as a city demands that affinity, and I think that’s what he will do.
“He’s a successful manager and I think he’s a perfect fit for Liverpool.”