Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted his admiration for defender Ragnar Klavan since his Dortmund days. Jurgen Klopp was the manager of Borussia Dortmund from 2008-2015 before joining the Merseyside club last season.
Klavan was signed from Augsburg for £4.2m on a three-year deal. Klavan has played two Premier League matches so far and made his EFL Cup debut against Derby County and registered his name on the score sheet.
Klopp admitted that he wanted to sign the Estonian for Dortmund but he didn’t need a defender then, “With Ragnar it’s quite simple. I saw him playing for Augsburg. I was surprised they found a player like him and we didn’t before – I wasn’t happy with this! We didn’t need a defender at Dortmund so I didn’t go for him. When I came here and came aware of our situation, he was very early in my idea.”
Klavan is the Estonian captain and has played more than 100 matches for his country. The versatile defender can also play as a left back. He is an ideal backup to Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren. He helped Augsburg qualify for the Europa League in 2014/15.
Klopp further added, “He is a wonderful football player – with a little issue he is not 21 any more. It was a great opportunity. I did not have to convince him too much. I like to work together with players who really want to come. In the beginning a few people were surprised, but not a lot of questions about his quality.”
Klavan could be in the starting eleven in Liverpool’s next match against Swansea City.
