Former Dortmund man Mkhitaryan would 'give his life' for Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp is making headlines this season. The German will call time on his career as Liverpool manager and, according to what he said after announcing his departure, he could be retiring for good despite being just 56 years old. His name keeps cropping up in all the media chats with his former players and Henrikh Mkhitaryan was the latest to praise his methods.

The German signed the Armenian for Borussia Dortmund in 2013 and had him under his command for two seasons with the German side before his move to Liverpool. It was a time that undoubtedly marked the Inter Milan veteran. "Klopp is excellent. He is a psychologist, he believes in you and gives you freedom. I would give my life for him," he explained on Andrea Ranocchia's 'Frog Talks' podcast.

Mkhitaryan revealed an anecdote with the coach during his time at Signal Iduna Park that speaks volumes about the way Klopp tries to get the best out of his players: "One day he said to me in training: 'If you score seven goals, I'll give you 50 euros, if not, you give them to me. I didn't make it, so I had to give it to him. Two days later, we beat Eintracht 1-2 with a brace from me and Klopp came to hug me. I told him to give me back the 50 euros and he did".

The Armenian, who retired from international football a couple of years ago, still has two more years on his contract at the age of 35 and is one of the undisputed stars of Simone Inzaghi's Inter side. "I've always said I want to play as long as I can so I don't regret leaving when I retire. I'd like to stay at Inter, but we have to see if the team also wants me to fulfil my contract," he continued of this last stage of his career.

Finally, the playmaker praised the great dressing room in a 'Nerazzurri' team that has practically run out of goals this season, as after the European elimination they only have a Serie A that they have practically won with two months to go before the end of the championship. "Even without the armband, Lautaro is a leader. Barella doesn't wear it either and he has things that leave you open-mouthed. So how many captains are there in the dressing room? I think all 25. It's important to have a unity like that because not everyone who plays can have their best day and it's very positive to know that the rest of your team-mates will lend you a hand," concluded Mkhitaryan.