In his own words: Klopp's football firsts

First football shirt 

''It was VfB Stuttgart. But I couldn't afford a proper shirt so my grandma knitted a jumper with a big red stripe across it. It was great, if not a little itchy! I loved it.''

First professional football game

''I played for Mainz, it wasn't a great game. But we won 2-1, I didn't score but made a goal with a cross. I was a striker until I was 25. I came to the Bundesliga when I was 23 so had two years before they starting thinking they should use this very tall, immobile player in another position. I didn't care though I only wanted to play.'' 

First goal scored

''It came from a cross from the right, probably. The goalkeeper tried to make a save. I was not a lot but I was quick, surprisingly quick for a really tall player. The 'keeper was waiting for the ball and I came from behind, took one touch and put it in the goal with a second touch.

"I really thought it was the start of something big! I was always lively when I celebrated, I always looked angry and bit my teeth!''

First time tears were shed over football

''I have probably had a few moments. I cried in 1997 when we [Mainz] kind of had a final. We don't have play-offs in Germany but by coincidence, we had third versus fourth against Wolfsburg in the second division. We needed a win to go up while a draw was enough for them. We spectacularly lost 5-4 and there was no penalty shootout!''

First game in the top job

''That was against MSV Druisburg. They made me manager in Mainz because they couldn't find anybody else - seriously, that's the truth, I have no problem with that. I played on Sunday, the manager took me off and I was the manager on Monday. 

"MSV Duisburg were fighting for promotion and we were fighting against relegation and we won 1-0. There were big celebrations and that is when everything started.''

First team talk

''I never wrote things down that I thought were interesting as a player. I always believed I would keep important things in my mind and forget all the rest. It felt like I was better prepared for my first team talk than anything else in my whole life.''

''The most influential manager I ever had, Wolfgang Frank, had a team meeting, I remembered that and used it as a basis. It was about the last five per cent being very important on top of the 95 per cent everyone was investing. I loved it, to be honest.''

First game as Liverpool manager 

''Absolutely special. To be 100 per cent honest , I love the history of the club and Liverpool. Being at Anfield in the dug-out, seeing the sign, going down the stairs, going up the stairs and standing really close to the other manager is really special, although I thought it was strange how the other manager could hear everything I was saying! 

"But it's an incredible feeling. When I won things in the past I didn't feel proud but in that moment I felt a little bit proud to have the opportunity.''