As much as Klopp deeply loves the club and the city, he missed home

JUST over four years ago, Jurgen Klopp attended a dinner organised by the Football Writers Association.

- ANDY DUNN

Manchester City chief Pep Guardiola was also there, along with a good number of managers who were being honoured for their achievements at clubs in the north of England.

But Klopp was the star of the show, wowing a hard-to-please audience with a typically amusing speech and happily giving his time to sponsors and their guests.

But sitting next to Klopp for that dinner was an eye-opener. He was scheduled to leave around nine o'clock but decided to stay a good while longer.

Why? Because he was enjoying a rare time when he could have an uninterrupted beer or three. As a rule, journalists don't ask for autographs or selfies.

Klopp explained how he did not mind obliging fans when he was out in a social environment but felt sorry for the company he was in, for his friends and family, whose days or evenings were being affected by the constant attention.