Liverpool FC
Jürgen Klopp honoured with statue celebrating his pride and passion for Liverpool FC
3 hours ago
Jürgen Klopp has been presented with a statue that perfectly captures his pride and passion for the club by Liverpool supporters union, Spirit of Shankly.
The 18-inch high bronze shows Jürgen Klopp with one hand over his heart and the other in a raised fist salute to fans.
It was created by sculptor Andy Edwards, the man behind the large-than-life size Beatles statue at the Pier Head which has become one of the most photographed attractions on the waterfront.
He was given a photograph of Jürgen Klopp on the touchline at his final away match, against Aston Villa in May last year, to use as a basis for his design.
Back in the city for Liverpool’s final game of the season, trophy presentation and victory parade, Jürgen Klopp met up with members of the Spirit of Shankly to receive the gift as a thank you for all he did for Liverpool FC during his time as manager.
The statue was presented to him by Bill Shankly’s granddaughter, Karen Gill, who is a patron of Spirit of Shankly, chair Paul Khan and vice chair Peter Hooton.
They described the finished artwork, which was engraved by Crosby-based jeweller JJ Pimbley with a dedication, as astounding and “perfectly capturing the man who led the club and us on an incredible journey” and said:
“In January 2024, when Jürgen announced he would be leaving at the end of the season, there was sadness, incredulity and disbelief.
“But these emotions changed quickly to admiration and thanks for what he’d done in returning LFC to a club regularly competing for and winning major trophies again. In the eight years plus since his arrival at Anfield in 2015, he had converted the fans from ‘doubters to believers’.
“Spirit of Shankly have presented numerous Shankly statues over the years, but we decided to commemorate Klopp with his own unique figure as a sign of our appreciation.
“We approached Castle Fine Arts Foundry – the company responsible for The Beatles statue at the Pier Head, the Bob Paisley and Emlyn Hughes statue at Anfield, and the ‘All Together Now’ Christmas truce statue in the gardens of St Luke’s Bombed Out Church in Leece Street.
“We met with sculptor Andy Edwards and gave him a photo of Jürgen taken at his last away match in charge which he used as his template.”
Sculptor Andy said he’d found it hugely enjoyable to work on such a heartfelt tribute from Reds fans:
“Jürgen is a true icon of the modern game who breathed new confidence and renewed winning mentality into this city,” he added. “It’s a well-deserved tribute and an honour for me to have been a part of.”
Handing over the statue to its new owner, Karen explained:
“This gesture not only celebrates Klopp’s indelible impact on LFC, but also continues the enduring legacy of my grandfather Bill Shankly whose principles of unity and dedication remain at the heart of our club and its supporters, something that Jürgen also embodied.”
Chair of the Spirit of Shankly, Paul said:
“It wasn’t for the trophies or the great days and nights he gave us, although we will always be eternally grateful for those. It was gifted to him because he got us – our culture and our politics – and we got him. Jürgen gave us back the most important thing you can have: belief.”
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