RB Leipzig host Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday, as Jurgen Klopp’s recent past and near-future collide.
The 57-year-old will not be present at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday, but his shadow will still hang over the game.
Klopp stepped down as Liverpool’s manager in the summer, claiming tiredness after a remarkable nine-year tenure that includes Champions League and Premier League titles.
Klopp announced his return to football in October, not as a coach, but as the head of Red Bull’s football operations, which include clubs in Leipzig, Salzburg, and New York.
He will be absent from the game, having chosen to wait until after commencing in January to attend a match.
While the appointment surprised many in Germany and England, the attention has been particularly focused on Leipzig.
In an unusual twist, Leipzig’s five ties after the announcement include games against each of Klopp’s former clubs: Mainz, Liverpool, and Borussia Dortmund.
‘Kloppo in Mallorca’
Klopp was again a topic of conversation after Leipzig’s 2-0 win at Mainz on Saturday, by fans and media alike.
Some fans held banners protesting the appointment, while reporters asked if Leipzig coach Marco Rose had asked Klopp for tips on how to beat the Reds on Wednesday.
Rose played under Klopp for several years at Mainz and the two maintain a good relationship.
He said he would “not be phoning up” his former coach for tips on how to beat Liverpool.
“Kloppo is in (Spanish island) Mallorca, looking after his dog, his wife and his children.
“I will do everything (to beat Liverpool) but I won’t call Klopp.
“He needs his peace and quiet and needs to rest a bit.
“And I’ll grant him that.”
Born and raised in Leipzig, Rose took the ambitious club to the 2023 German Cup title in his first season.
The 48-year-old followed it up with a run to the Champions League last 16, where Leipzig were narrowly eliminated by eventual champions Real Madrid.
This season, Leipzig have managed to hold onto most of their young talent, giving rise to hopes of a shot at the league title and a long run in Europe.
Although Leipzig are second to Bayern Munich on goal difference in the Bundesliga, the Champions League is another story, albeit with a tough draw.
Leipzig conceded late goals to lose away at Atletico Madrid and at home against Juventus.
The Saxon side have yet to claim a point in Europe this season, making Wednesday’s clash with the Premier League leaders even more important.
‘Extremely stable’
Like Liverpool, Leipzig’s strong league form this campaign has been built on a miserly defence.
Leipzig have kept clean sheets in six of seven league games. The two goals they did concede came against Bayer Leverkusen in a game Leipzig won 3-2, the defending champions’ first defeat on German soil in 15 months.
Starting the campaign under Klopp replacement Arne Slot, Liverpool have conceded just three goals in eight league games this season, by far the best mark in the Premier League.
Peter Gulasci, Leipzig’s goalkeeper, on Saturday recognised the similarities.
“Liverpool are extremely stable and don’t allow much at the back — just like us.
“That’s why it won’t be easy.
“Their style of play has changed a bit (under Slot), they play a bit more with the ball and are very structured.
“We’ve shown in the first two games we’re on par with our opponents, but now we have to finally reward ourselves for our hard work.”