Klopp ‘the dad of the whole city’ – Liverpool’s Curtis Jones،
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones says Jurgen Klopp's decision to step down as manager at the end of the season is “sad news” and described the 56-year-old as the “father from the whole city” after Sunday's 5-2 FA Cup fourth leg. victory in the round against Norwich City.
Jones opened the scoring for Klopp's side after 16 minutes against the Championship side, who equalized six minutes later through Ben Gibson before conceding further goals to Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch. Borja Sainz scored Norwich's second goal with a long-range effort as they trailed 4-1.
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Liverpool's victory ensured a fifth round tie at home to Watford or Southampton – the Championship sides will meet in a replay after a 1-1 draw at Watford on Sunday – to keep hopes of success alive in four competitions this season.
But Jones, who has become a key player under Klopp this season, said the manager's shock decision to leave the club has made the team even more determined to achieve a quadruple.
“The mindset is the same, the only thing that’s changed is we now want to win even more,” Jones told ESPN. “We had our goals at the start of the season and that was to win all four trophies we are competing for.
“But now the news is out [about Klopp]we are even hungrier as a team.
“I would say that he [Klopp] is the father of the whole town, so of course it's sad news. It's like that.
“He’s a man and it’s a choice, but we also have to respect that and continue our journey.”
Despite the magnitude of the news of Klopp's plans to leave, the atmosphere at Anfield was largely subdued during the match.
Klopp said he wanted fans to show their support for the team rather than singing about them as they seek success in four competitions.
“It was great that the fans showed me their love and we need an atmosphere on the pitch,” Klopp said after the match. “We need the public not to think about the manager.
“I understand, it's very emotional. I just have to make sure I'm not on that side. I said they don't have to do it because I already know our relationship. In games, we need to be warriors and not celebrate the old man on the sidelines.
“We have to forget about it for a while and attack every opponent like crazy and that's what we want to do and the next opportunity is Wednesday. [against Chelsea].
“First game after the announcement and we can get used to it. Chelsea are in a good period, it will be difficult but let's make sure we are ready for it.”
