The Emotional Side of Football: Lijnders and Klopp’s Disagreements
Former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has opened up about his disagreements with Jurgen Klopp, revealing a deep emotional investment in the club’s youth players and a strong belief in their potential. The Dutchman, who was a crucial part of Klopp’s staff for almost the entirety of his tenure at Anfield, shares that one of the most significant conflicts arose over the handling of young full-back Conor Bradley. Lijnders was a strong advocate for Bradley, believing that the Northern Irishman was ready to step up to the first team. However, Klopp saw things differently and decided to send Bradley out on loan to Bolton Wanderers for the 2022-23 season. This decision left Lijnders deeply upset and led to one of the few confrontations he had with the legendary manager. "I remember that I really fought, proper fought, for Conor to be our No 2 behind Trent," Lijnders said in the new four-part documentary ‘Doubters To Believers Liverpool FC: Klopp’s Era’. "I was really trying to keep him in the club because I believed that he would already be ready at that time. The club makes the decision together with Jurgen to get him out on loan, and it really, really upset me a lot. There was hard, hard words and it was probably one of the only confrontations I had with Jurgen. He won’t remember it anyway but I remember it."
Bradley’s Journey: From Loan to First-Team Star
Despite the initial disagreement, Klopp’s instincts proved to be correct. Bradley’s loan spell at Bolton Wanderers in League One turned out to be a resounding success. The young defender scored seven goals in 53 appearances, won the EFL Trophy, and was voted the club’s player of the year. His performances during this period were instrumental in his development, and upon his return to Liverpool, he has featured 45 times and is now considered an important first-team player. Lijnders’ emotional investment in Bradley’s career is a testament to the complex and often personal nature of football’s decision-making processes. While he was initially upset, the young player’s success has likely brought him some solace, if not a complete resolution to the conflict.
Lijnders’ Vision for Alexander-Arnold
Lijnders’ disagreement with Klopp was not limited to just Bradley. He has also spoken about his efforts to convince Klopp to play Trent Alexander-Arnold in a hybrid midfield role. When Roberto Firmino departed in 2023, Liverpool found themselves in need of an additional midfielder. Lijnders saw this as an opportunity to utilize Alexander-Arnold’s talents in a different role. "My idea constantly was: the best No. 6 I had in the U16s was Trent Alexander-Arnold," he told The Redmen TV. "It’s not to only have extra players inside, to have four here (in the midfield), to have the same as what Bobby Firmino did. But it’s also to have Trent in a position where the ball can fly from left to right. What I said constantly to Jurgen was: ‘We have to do it.’ ‘But Pep, blah blah blah’ [Klopp complained]. ‘We have to do it.’"
The Intensity of Lijnders’ Convictions
Lijnders’ conviction about Alexander-Arnold’s potential in midfield reached a boiling point. He even offered to give Klopp all of his salary to try out the idea. "Until I was so sick of it that I went to Jurgen in this office and said, ‘Jurgen, next year you can f** have all my f** salary. If we don’t do it in the next game, it’s done for me. I can’t. We need the extra player, we need Trent there. I tell you it will work, it will work.’" Klopp eventually yielded to the pressure, and the move proved to be a significant turning point. Liverpool improved in their final season under Klopp, finishing third in the Premier League and winning the Carabao Cup. Alexander-Arnold’s role evolved once more with the arrival of Arne Slot, who has required the 26-year-old to adopt a more orthodox full-back role.
Lijnders’ Tenure and Departure from RB Salzburg
Following his departure from Liverpool, Lijnders took charge of RB Salzburg in the summer of 2022 but faced a difficult spell. After just six months in the role, he was dismissed after winning only 13 of his 28 matches in charge of the Austrian giants. Despite the challenging period, Lijnders remains optimistic about his future and the success of his former club. Back in October, he praised the impact of new manager Arne Slot and expressed his gratitude for the strides players have made under his compatriot. "What is happening now with Arne, doing the job he is doing… wow," he told Mail Sport. "It makes me really grateful. I feel blessed to see it, the way the club is doing and performing on a really high level. Certain players are flourishing and making the next steps."
The Future of Liverpool Under Arne Slot
Under the leadership of Arne Slot, Liverpool seems poised to reclaim their place at the top of English football. The club currently enjoys a 13-point lead at the top of the standings with just 10 games left to play, setting the stage for a record-equalizing 20th top-flight title. Slot’s tactical acumen and man-management skills have been instrumental in steering the Reds to this position, and Lijnders is a proud observer of the club’s resurgence. While his own career may have faced a setback, the Dutchman’s legacy at Liverpool remains significant, and his contributions to the club’s success are not forgotten. The emotional and professional journey of Pep Lijnders serves as a reminder of the passion and dedication required to thrive in the high-pressure world of football.
