Roy Keane makes surprise Jurgen Klopp admission despite 'cringe' incident

Roy Keane stated that he would have liked to play for Jurgen Klopp as he made a surprise admission about the Liverpool manager after his side's 4-2 win over Tottenham.

It was the German's penultimate game as Liverpool manager at Anfield as he prepares to step down as Reds boss at the end of the season, with Keane discussing Klopp's legacy at the club on Sky Sports following Sunday's game.

The Manchester United legend said: "Look at the bigger picture and what he's done for this football club and it is fantastic.

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"We talk about the type of football he's played, it's been very entertaining. He's giving young players a chance. They're back competing at the highest level and won some of the biggest prizes.

"He's also missed out and been close. This is a proper rollercoaster for him and one of his strengths is that he's an emotional guy. We see that on the sideline with him.

"He's a very honest manager and I don't think he plays too many games. He's not like this robot after games where he's almost just media-trained.

"He seems a very honest manager and I always try to picture if I was a player back in the day, I think I'd like to play for this guy."

(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Keane also recalled "cringing" after Klopp held hands with his players and celebrated following a 2-2 draw with West Brom in 2015 during his first season in charge at Anfield, but the former Republic of Ireland captain can now see why the German did it.

He stated: "[That game vs] West Brom, they drew and he's got them all cheering and holding hands at the end. I was at home cringing going what's this guy up to? But he knew what he as doing. He's a smart cookie."

Keane discussed Klopp's man management style, with fellow pundit Daniel Sturridge asking if the Corkman was a fan of the manager's post-match hugs.

"At the end of the season if you win something [I'd have one]," responded Keane. "I wouldn't be critical of him. Everyone's different and that's his personality. That's what he's brought to the football club. I won't be critical of that, far from it.

"I think if you win something at the end of the season, sure hugs for everybody but week in week out... That's his style of management and it's obviously worked for him."

However, Keane admitted Alex Ferguson didn't dish out too many hugs, adding that he wouldn't have wanted one anyway.

"Maybe not too many [hugs] but I didn't want any," Keane said. "We were there to do a job and win trophies and that's the style of that manager.

"Things have changed. We see most managers now on the pitch every week. Times are changing."

Keane added: "Huge respect for what he's done with the club from his personality to style of football. They're back competing at the highest level. They've had disappointments like every other football club.

"The way they fell away the last few weeks is probably hard to stomach for a lot of fans. The Everton performance and result, the European games, the spat with Salah - a little sour taste. If you step back and look at the bigger picture about the manager and what he's about, it's amazing."

He concluded: "When you're a big club it's about winning but also belief. Liverpool fans and players travelled home and away, when they were at games you must look at the manager and say you're glad he's in charge.

"Even top players can lose belief but he brought that - first home game here.

"His team entertained. They're enjoyable. We all have a tactical side to a game. When you watch a game of football you want to see them go for it and he's done that."

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