Klopp denies making Ferguson 3:30am wake-up call

Jurgen Klopp insists he did not phone Alex Ferguson in the middle of the night to furnish him with details of Liverpool’s Premier League title triumph.

The Reds will step out to start a new campaign as champions for the first time in 30 years when they entertain Leeds United at a behind-closed-doors Anfield on Saturday.

Klopp masterminded a glorious conclusion to the Reds’ long wait for a 19th English title, as they deposed Manchester City with seven games remaining.

In the revelry afterwards, Ferguson and Klopp were in touch, with the former Manchester United boss saying, “I’ll forgive you for waking me up at 3:30 am to tell me you have won the league” when the German was presented with his League Managers’ Association (LMA) Manager of the Year Award.

Speaking ahead of the Leeds game, Klopp – at least in part – sought to set the record straight.

“I didn’t call him, I have to clarify that. I sent him a message,” the Reds’ boss said, before explaining the volume of messages he had to get through and the prolonged nature of Liverpool’s party meant he was not able to tap out his thanks to Ferguson until the small hours.

While respectful of the managerial great and delighted to have received his seal of approval, Klopp also acknowledges the status of their respective clubs means prolonged phone conversations regarding moments of Anfield glory are unlikely to ever be too high up Ferguson’s agenda, even in retirement.

“I don’t think he wants to talk to me too much about the success of Liverpool,” Klopp chuckled.

“He respects it, but it’s not that it’s his favourite thing to watch on television.”