Openda and Leipzig Focus on Liverpool Clash, Downplay Klopp’s Future Role
RB Leipzig striker Lois Openda has downplayed the current buzz surrounding the arrival of Jürgen Klopp as the new Red Bull football boss ahead of his side’s crucial Champions League clash against Liverpool. While Klopp, a legendary figure in world football, is set to join Red Bull in January 2025, Openda stated that his teammates are not yet focused on the prospect of his future involvement.
The Belgian striker, who joined Leipzig in 2023, expressed his admiration for Klopp, a man whose career he has followed closely over the years. “I have not talked to the other players about that,” Openda revealed to reporters, adding that the squad remains focused on the immediate tasks of securing a win in the Champions League and continuing their impressive Bundesliga form. With Klopp's contract still a year away from starting, Openda sees no reason to let it become a distraction at this stage.
However, the anticipation around Klopp's move has deeper roots within the Leipzig camp. Current Leipzig coach Marco Rose has a long-standing connection with Klopp, having played under him during his time at Mainz. Rose has openly praised Klopp as both a coach and a person, highlighting the energy and motivation he brought to the teams he managed. Rose described Klopp as someone who could lift spirits in tough times, ensuring that players were always ready for the next challenge. His excitement at the prospect of working with Klopp again reflects the admiration he has for his former mentor.
As Leipzig prepare to face Liverpool, a team Klopp managed with great success before his departure, Rose acknowledged the challenge that lies ahead. Liverpool, under Arne Slot, continue to embody the characteristics Klopp instilled in them—high pressing, intensity, and defensive robustness. These qualities have made them difficult to play against, a fact not lost on Rose as he prepares his team.
Openda, meanwhile, emphasized the need to be cautious against Liverpool’s star players, singling out Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold as major threats. He praised Salah as one of the best players in the world, citing his ability to break open defenses with his left foot, and warned of Alexander-Arnold’s lethal delivery on set pieces.
Leipzig find themselves in a tough spot in the Champions League, having lost their opening two games. Liverpool, in contrast, are flying high, topping the Premier League table and winning their first two group stage matches. With a must-win game on the horizon for Leipzig, Openda and his teammates know they need to correct past mistakes to stand a chance against a formidable Liverpool side.
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