El-Hadji Diouf, a former forward for Liverpool, has praised Jurgen Klopp for his enormous influence on African football as his time as manager is drawing to a conclusion.
Following his appointment in 2015, Klopp oversaw Liverpool’s ascent back to the top of Europe’s football leagues. In 2019, the team won the Champions League trophy, capping a 30-year drought for the Premier League crown. THE SUCCESS OF LIVERPOOL HAS BEEN MAINTENANCED BY AFRICAN PLAYERS.
The former Borussia Dortmund manager has led Liverpool to seven major championships overall. He will be leaving Anfield after only two more games. According to Diouf, Klopp’s smart acquisitions—especially those from Africa—have been essential to his success. The Reds’ roster included players like Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Joel Matip, and Naby Keita at the height of Klopp’s tenure.
Sakio Mane Gives Credit to Klopp for His Triumph Mane in particular proved to be one of Klopp’s greatest early acquisitions; he joined from Southampton in 2016 and quickly established himself as a vital member of Liverpool’s front line together with Roberto Firmino and Salah. Even though Mane left Anfield in 2022 to join Bayern Munich following a successful stint, his fellow countryman Diouf has acknowledged Mane’s love for Klopp’s leadership and character. “I don’t really know [Klopp] personally, but I’m very close to Sadio Mane, and Sadio tells me that [Klopp] is a nice man,” Diouf stated in an interview with rg.org. “It’s because of him that he had such a great experience at Liverpool.”
“He’s done wonderful things for most of the African players,” Diouf added, underlining Klopp’s beneficial impact on African athletes. “The world’s greatest league is the Premier League. It was an honor for me to play there, and the African game would benefit much if we can have a large number of African players today. Diouf faced harsh criticism when he was a player for Liverpool from 2002 to 2004. He arrived as Africa’s Player of the Year after helping Senegal go to the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals, having joined for a club record sum.
But Diouf was unable to match the early euphoria, even after making his Anfield debut against Southampton and scoring two goals. His three league goals for the entire 2002–03 season were a dismal return for a big-money signing. Diouf was sent out on loan to Sam Allardyce’s Bolton Wanderers after he had disciplinary issues and the infamous spitting episodes. A year later, a permanent deal was agreed upon. Notwithstanding the animosity, Diouf stated that he hoped Klopp would have the ideal farewell because he has had a significant influence on African football.