Jurgen Klopp delivered a Christmas message of his own to Liverpool supporters, reflecting on an emotional 2020 on and off the pitch for fans across the globe.
Liverpool finally ended their wait for the Premier League trophy this year - an achievement Klopp calls 'one of the biggest days of my life' - but the success falls against the backdrop of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
But always one looking to spread cheer, Klopp begins his festive greetings by singing a few lines from 'Last Christmas' by Wham, before revealing how he used to celebrate the occasion back in Germany with his family.
'The traditions in Germany and England are slightly different - we have the holy evening on the 24th and that is when kids get the present,' Klopp explains. 'But in my family it was tradition on top of that that we all had to sing and play an instrument.
'My elder sister played accordion, my second sister played the flute and at the very beginning I played the xylophone and then the keyboard! My level is Christmas songs and not more, but after we did that we got our presents. It was great, great memories. I loved it.
'2020 was such a special year in the best possible way and the worst possible way. It started really well, the boys were flying. And then Covid-19 came which stopped pretty much everything. We all went through that.
'We could all play football again which was obviously great and then we won the league, finally. It was one of the biggest days in my life, 100 per cent.'
Another highlight of Klopp's year was perhaps a more understated event in comparison to winning the league - the return of 2,000 supporters to Liverpool's Premier League match against Wolves earlier this month.
'Feeling that atmosphere again, and it was only a percentage of what you are able to do, made it a game we will never forget. That's how life should be - we collect memories and then when we are old, we look back and hopefully we cannot avoid a smile on our face.
'Our normal life, whatever it was before, we maybe didn't appreciate it enough. Now it feels like the greatest life ever. So that's something we learn - appreciate what we have.'
And for Klopp, that appreciation even stretches to receiving socks for Christmas.
'Appreciate what you've got because it can change in pretty much a minute. Even in a very tricky year, a very difficult year, I hope you enjoy Christmas as much as you can.
'I hope you are happy with the socks you've got! Don't forget, it is not about what it is, it is about who you got it from and the thinking behind it - feel the love involved in the present. Merry Christmas.'
Klopp and Liverpool return to Premier League action on December 27 when they host West Brom at Anfield.
Promzy171
537
this man will be missed should in case he leaves the club😟😰... he has done a fantastic job for Liverpool in terms of " signing of good players, winning trophies, injury crisis, winning mentality," in fact this man shouldn't be hate but rather be loved❤❤❤..
jamesbreen
206
In my lifetime as a Liverpool born and raised man and fan of Liverpool FC since 1964, I have witnessed three truly great, outstanding Liverpool managers. The first was the great Bill Shankly, who I had the privilege of meeting. He is the man who built the giant that is Liverpool Football Club, as we know it today. Between 1959 to 1974 he took Liverpool from the second division to one of the best teams in Europe and he established Anfield as a fortress. In 1974 Bob Paisley his assistant, took Liverpool to even greater heights and we became an unstoppable machine, conquering Europe as well as winning the title year after year. Then from 1985-1991 Kenny Dalglish continued the dynasty of keeping Liverpool at the top. Now Jurgen Klopp has created a new era of Liverpool success. In just five years we have won the Champions League and the Premier League. I have no doubt that he will win more titles for us before he leaves. Like Shankly, Paisley and Dalglish, he has Liverpool in his heart, his blood and his head. From the age of six, I have now been supporting Liverpool for 56 years. For myself and many fans, just like these managers, Liverpool FC is in our heart, our blood and our heads. That is why it is an iconic and very, very special club !! More than just a football club. A way of life !