Klopp hopes for another unforgettable visit to Lisbon in pursuit of Champions League glory

While Liverpool play in Lisbon for the first time since 2010 on Tuesday, it has its significance in the tale of Jurgen Klopp’s time at Anfield.

His sabbatical after leaving Borussia Dortmund in 2015, included a family break in the Portuguese capital where he received the call that would change his life and Liverpool’s history. A stunning season could yet end in an unprecedented quadruple but they were labouring in 10th in the Premier League when Brendan Rodgers was sacked.

“We were completely in the holiday mood but there were some rumours around,” Klopp said ahead of the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

“With two sons around, they pick up pretty much everything and I knew from them a little bit that a couple of things could happen. I didn’t pick up a lot of phone calls at that time because my family was around so why should I talk to anybody?

"But it was my agent who is my friend as well and when he said Liverpool were calling, the boys were looking at me. In that moment for them the decision was made. [His wife] Ulla then had to put the thumbs up. It just felt right from the first second.”

The feeling may be mutual and if Klopp disputed the notion that things could scarcely have gone any better for him on Merseyside, citing defeat in the 2018 Champions League final and the near-miss with the Premier League title the following season, yet the factors stretch beyond silverware.

Diogo Jota heads Liverpool into the lead against Watford in the Premier League match at Anfield on Saturday, April 2, 2022. AP

He explained: “I don’t judge my time here about the trophies too much. It is about the way we play and the way we develop. The position the club is in is much more important. At the moment, it is a healthy