The German Scouser: Jurgen Klopp’s impact on the City of Liverpool and beyond

“It’s not what people think when you come in. It’s much more important what people think when you leave.” 

Nine years after Jürgen Klopp said these words in his first press conference as Liverpool manager, there’s no question that LFC supporters think the world of the jovial German.

After securing another seven trophies for the club’s bulging trophy cabinet during his reign, Klopp will leave The Reds as a bona-fide legend. 

But while Kopites will fondly remember Jürgen’s time in charge, the ‘Heavy Metal’ manager’s impact goes far beyond his success in the Anfield hot-seat. Klopp has also had a massive influence on our region. 

In 2022, he received the freedom of the city, becoming only the second foreign national – after Nelson Mandela – to receive the honour. Speaking before the ceremony, he said: 

“The city of Liverpool is home, that’s how it is. We arrived here more than seven years ago, from the first moment, people are very open, very friendly.” 

Though his comments accurately describe the people of Liverpool, Jürgen Norbert Klopp could well have been describing himself. His openness, friendliness and honesty are a massive part of why we, as a city, will always hold him close to our hearts. 

Klopp is one of us. He loves a pub quiz and a pint, walking his dogs in the woods around Formby, and doesn’t take himself too seriously. More than this, Klopp’s outlook on life reflects ours. He’s left-leaning, dedicated to social democracy, and unafraid to express his opinions on everything from Brexit and Trump to the welfare state and human rights issues. 

But he doesn’t speak for the sake of it. Jürgen Klopp puts his time, clout, and money where his mouth is. Here are a few occasions when the main man has made a massive difference to the City of Liverpool and beyond. 

Charity work 

In May 2024, the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and the Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association (LSDA) awarded Jürgen Klopp two awards for his long-standing work in the community and with disabled supporters. 

During his time as an ambassador for the LFC Foundation, the charity has seen a 47% increase in the number of people it supports, delivering £65 million in health benefits and £16 million directly into the local economy over the last three years. 

In 2019, Klopp became the first Premier League manager to join the Common Goal football charity, pledging 1% of his earnings to the movement. The same year, he donated £10,000 to Joy is Round, a children’s charity in Cape Town that aims to give young people hope through football. 

Closer to home, Jürgen also contributed over £4,000 to the Sean Cox Foundation, helping towards the long-term care of the Liverpool supporter who was attacked outside Anfield in 2018. 

His wife, Ulla, too, showed the generosity synonymous with the Klopps when she handed out £1,000 in food vouchers to supermarket staff as a thank-you for working on the frontline during the pandemic. 

In addition to cash, Klopp has also lent his support to numerous good causes, speaking out in favour of LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity. He was vocal in his support of the Black Lives Matter Movement and has been a regular visit to the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to help lift the spirits of young patients. 

Outreach 

What sets Klopp apart from most is his personal touch. The Liverpool boss has contacted countless community members to raise their morale and wish them well. He sent a signed shirt to LFC fan Neil Pullar after his cardiac arrest in 2022 and penned an “out-of-the-blue” personal letter to Red’s supporter Stephen Murphy weeks before his death of pulmonary fibrosis. 

104-year-old Kopite Bernard Sherdian also received a letter from Klopp to mark his milestone birthday. 

Remarkable and touching as this outreach is, perhaps the open letter Jürgen wrote to the people of Liverpool best shows the mark of the man. After clinching The Red’s first league title in 30 years, Klopp addressed both Liverpool and Everton supporters via the Liverpool Echo, saying: 

“I knew that Liverpool was a special place before I came here almost five years ago, but it is only when you get to know the people that you feel the city’s heartbeat, and then you are able to realise just how special it is.”

Jürgen Klopp is right. Liverpool is special. Even more so thanks to everything ‘The Normal One’ has done for all of us. 

Margaret Aspinall summed it up when she said of Klopp, “I feel he is a Scouser.” 

Nice one, Jürgen. Wherever your journey takes you, you’ll always have a home in Liverpool. That’s how highly we think of you.  

For more on Jürgen Klopp click here.