Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0 in the Champions League final on Saturday as Jurgen Klopp ended his run of six straight cup final defeats to secure his first trophy as Reds boss.
Jamie Carragher was in attendance at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium and was quick to praise the job that Klopp has done after the victory.
The former England defender has now outlined the moment that he knew that Klopp could lead Liverpool to glory, and it involved a comment from a great rival.
He told the Telegraph: “I can recall the moment when I became genuinely excited about what Jurgen Klopp would bring to Liverpool.
“The true endorsement came on a visit to Old Trafford a couple of years ago.
“I was invited to play in Michael Carrick’s testimonial and had the chance to speak to Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I had read Fergie’s complimentary remarks about the Liverpool manager, so wanted to hear more.
“‘He’s got something about him. He is very confident,’ Sir Alex told me.”
Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies during his 26-year stint as Manchester United boss.
Ferguson retired in 2013 and United have struggled since, whilst Liverpool have gone from strength-to-strength under German boss Klopp.
Carragher continued: “There was a look of genuine admiration for Klopp, accompanied by that added hint of concern, telling me all I needed.
“If Fergie is worried, this guy must be the real deal.”
After their Champions League triumph Klopp revealed that he spoke to back-to-back Premier League winning boss Pep Guardiola over the phone.
“A second ago I spoke to Pep Guardiola on the phone,” Klopp said.
“Our head physio [Lee Nobes] worked for Manchester City at the start of the year but he wanted to win the Champions League… no, it’s a joke!
“We promised each other that we will kick each other’s butts again next season. We will go for everything and see what we get.”
