English Football - news

German media in awe of Jürgen Klopp-inspired Liverpool

• ‘Football was invented for nights like these’ says Bild
• Klopp has made his energy rub off’ says Süddeutsche Zeitung

The German media have been more awed than heartbroken by the spectacular match between Liverpool and Dortmund: “4:3! King Klopp makes Dortmund cry”, says the front-page headline on the bestselling tabloid Bild.

“Football was invented for nights like these. With the last kick of the game, Liverpool wrestled down Dortmund in a wonderful thriller. There may never be another match like this,” writes the paper.

Spiegel Online, too, was taken in by the atmosphere at Anfield Road: “It can come across a bit strange when footballers evoke magical powers and make it seem as if not their own mistakes but supernatural powers had brought about a defeat. 

“But among the football-faith community the legendary Anfield Road stadium is not considered a sacred site for nothing, and on this memorable night everyone felt what mighty magic can be summoned here.”

Describing the match as “a classic in the illustrious history of these two clubs for years to come”, the commentator Daniel Theweleit also believed that the atmosphere at Anfield Road put Dortmund’s own famed fan culture into the shade: “Even those who have watched the club for centuries agreed that Dortmund has never achieved this kind of intensity.”

Munich-based Süddeutsche Zeitung found satisfaction in seeing the German coach Jürgen Klopp exporting his magic touch across the Channel. “In Liverpool Klopp has managed to make his special energy rub off on his team, this absolute conviction that willpower can move mountains as long as it is strong enough. 

“He managed to create such special moments in Dortmund too, for example with the unforgettable 3-2 against Malaga. Klopp knows exactly when movements and tactics don’t matter anymore because other things have become more important.”

ARSENAL RENEW THEIR INTEREST FOR MIDFIELD VETERAN

Arsene Wenger looking for stability in the middle

He may be 35 by the time next season gets underway, but Michael Carrick is set to be the recipient of plenty of attention this summer, and Arsenal are seemingly one of many admirers.

The Gunners have been linked with a move for Manchester United’s calming influence for much of 2016, but speculation has renewed this week with Arsene Wenger ramping up his options for next season.

A host of midfield men are set to depart the Emirates this season, with Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini preparing to say their Arsenal farewells.

Out-of-contract Carrick marks a very straight forward and obvious replacement for the trio, even in his twilight years, but Wenger faces a battle to persuade the England international on wearing an Arsenal shirt next term.

Both Everton and West Ham are also reportedly in the hunt for the Wallsend man, and both can offer Carrick things Arsenal cannot.

The Toffees offer Carrick geographical ease and stability, while West Ham would see him return to the club who handed him his first-team chance way back in 1999.

Arsenal’s trump card however is likely to be Champions League football, while West Ham hold only a slim hope of claiming a place in next season’s competition, and Everton have no chance.

Signing Carrick won’t be the deal to quieten the naysayers in the red half of north London, but Arsenal have lacked that experienced and holding player this term, with the aforementioned trio all suffering lengthy spells out injured.

Wenger is no stranger to sign elder players, with 33-year-old Petr Cech arriving last summer, and 31-year-old Kim Kallstrom also having short spell with the Gunners two years ago.