Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp 'broke' a Premier League rule to fulfil a promise to midfielder Harvey Elliott, it has been revealed.
Klopp's man-management skill is one of his finest assets as a manager, with many players stating that he has been their favourite to play under.
Speaking to Sky Sports in 2020, Manchester United legend Gary Neville revealed the German was the manager he would have most liked to play under - other than Sir Alex Ferguson - during his own playing career.
Advert
Klopp has transformed Liverpool into perennial title contenders - last season being the exception - since his arrival at Anfield in 2015.
He led the Reds to a Premier League title in 2020, a year after they lifted the Champions League for the sixth time after a 2-0 win over Tottenham.
Klopp used a largely settled side throughout the 2019/20 campaign, with six players playing 35 or more of the 38 games. Roberto Firmino, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold were ever-presents.
Advert
That meant regular opportunities for other players were limited, although some of the younger members of the squad - including Curtis Jones and Neco Williams - still made the five appearances needed to collect a Premier League medal.
But Harvey Elliott made only two appearances during the season, meaning he didn't qualify for a medal.
However, the midfielder revealed that Klopp 'broke' a Premier League rule, and ensured that he gave him a medal to make sure he had a keepsake from the incredible season.
Speaking in an interview with the Liverpool Echo, Elliott explained: "I am not sure if it was [Klopp's] medal, it could have been his, but I got one at the end of the day.
Advert
"I walked into the changing room after the parade and the presentations and they gave it to me.
"I can't really describe how I felt - I was just over the moon and sending pictures to my mum and dad [saying]: 'I've got a medal! I've got a medal!'
"They were in the ground as well, so I was able to go up and show them and have a bit of a celebration with them. It was just, you know, a great feeling."
SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We've launched a dedicated news channel to send you the latest news, features and plenty more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here for 'SPORTbible News' to appear in the 'Updates' tab on your WhatsApp.
Topics: Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool, Harvey Elliott, Premier League