Jurgen Klopp wins his first trophy of the season

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp became the first ever recipient of a special new award when he returned home to Germany this week.

The 54-year-old picked up the inaugural #Freundship Award in recognition of his services to German-British relations.

Klopp has become hugely popular during his six years at Liverpool - winning both the Champions League and Premier League - but the Reds boss revealed he first fell in love with Britain whilst interrailing in the 1980s.

What Klopp said

Speaking at a special gala at Signal Iduna Park, the home of his former club Borussia Dortmund, Klopp said: "I went interrailing to England with my cousin at 18.

"The weather was bad, even then. Nevertheless, we fell in love with the country.

"People offer you bed and breakfast for £5 a night. I come from the Black Forest. It would have been the last thing for us to let a complete stranger sleep with us for money."

He added: “Today I feel very happy to live in England with my family and if I can help build bridges between our two nations then I am more than happy to do so.

“I am very happy and honoured to receive this award, which I am accepting on behalf of all Germans living in the UK.”

What is the award?

The #Freundship Award was set up by the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany (BCCG) and the British Embassy in Berlin to “honour the commitment and dedication to the special relationship and friendship between the two countries”.

Alex Altmann, chairman of the BCCG said: “Jürgen Klopp is a shining example of what the people of our two countries can achieve together.

“Jürgen has excited, inspired, and connected people across Britain and Germany and has achieved outstanding results.

“Brexit requires the UK and Germany to renew their special relationship. Economic and cultural development is only possible if people can move freely and take up opportunities.”

Klopp on politics

Klopp expressed his opposition to Brexit back in 2018 saying it “made no sense” in an interview with The Guardian.

The German, who has described his politics as ‘left of middle’ reiterated that view when collecting his award in Dortmund in front of 300 invited guests, including British Ambassador to Germany Jill Gallard.

“At the time, I thought it was not possible for something like this [Brexit] to happen. But it happened,” Klopp said.

“That’s the way it is now. We have to deal with it.

“We have amazing people on both sides of the channel, and we need to keep working closely together.”

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