Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reveals what his SIX key backroom staff - or the 'brain and eyes' as he calls them -bring to the club: 'I am nothing without them'

  • Jurgen Klopp has highlighted the vital importance of his backroom team
  • Klopp can often be seen on the touchline with assistant Zeljko Buvac and others
  • The German has paid tribute to those he calls the 'brain' and 'eyes' of his team
  • Klopp's double Andreas Kornmayer and Mona Nemmer also have huge impact

Much loved at Anfield, revered by colleagues and respected by opponents, Jurgen Klopp has made quite the impression at Liverpool since taking to the helm in 2015.

After guiding the Reds back to the elite bracket of the top four, the German is hoping to go one better and challenge for major honours this season.

But despite all the praise being pushed in his direction, the charismatic yet humble 50-year-old admits he would be nothing without the input of his backroom staff. 

Jurgen Klopp holds his staff in the highest regard, insisting he is 'nothing' without them

Jurgen Klopp holds his staff in the highest regard, insisting he is 'nothing' without them

The German boss is rarely ever seen on the touchline unaccompanied by his closest allies

The German boss is rarely ever seen on the touchline unaccompanied by his closest allies

The former Borussia Dortmund man immediately sought to bring his Bundesliga allies Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz to Anfield upon his appointment on Merseyside, and is rarely seen on the touchline without one or the other.


But who are Klopp's coaching team, and what does the German say of his closest advisers whom he is hoping will help him restore the glory days to Liverpool? Sportsmail takes a look... 

Zeljko Buvac - First assistant coach

Klopp's relationship with Buvac - the man he openly names 'the brain' of all his operations - appears to be one of the most important components behind his ultimate success. 

Jurgen Klopp credits Zeljko Buvac as 'the brain' behind his operations at Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp credits Zeljko Buvac as 'the brain' behind his operations at Liverpool

'I think the biggest strength of strong people is to put people around you who are stronger in specific cases than yourself. Only if you are insecure you wouldn't do that and think, "Oh my god, maybe somebody sees he is better at this than I am…'' Klopp said recently in an interview with Liverpoolfc.com, and it is this attitude which makes his relationship with Buvac click so nicely.

On several occasions Klopp has marvelled at the knowledge, understanding and passion for the game of which Buvac possesses, openly admitting he is the go-to person for all of his football queries.

'Zeljko is football expertise incarnate,' Klopp said of his assistant following his appointment on Merseyside. 'I learn every day from him.' 

 

Peter Krawietz - Second assistant coach

Krawietz forms the third string of the triple Klopp-Buvac-Krawietz ensemble which steers the ship that is Liverpool football club.

Where Klopp sees Buvac as the brain of the operation, he admits Krawietz is the 'eye' of proceedings and the tactical string-puller.

In a similar way, Klopp sees fellow right-hand man Peter Krawietz as 'the eyes' of his set-up

In a similar way, Klopp sees fellow right-hand man Peter Krawietz as 'the eyes' of his set-up

All-seeing, Krawietz's surveying input is invaluable to Klopp, with constant suggestions, amendments and predictions on what the first team could and should be doing to improve. 

Unlike Buvac, Krawietz has no significant playing experience in the game, instead arriving in his initial role at Mainz after obtaining a sports degree at the University of Mainz.

Operating as video analyst during Klopp's time as a player at Mainz, Krawietz told SPOX in 2012 that '[Klopp] was one of the professionals who was interested most in the visual processing of tactical analysis.'

 

Pepijn Lijnders - First-team development coach

Lijnders remained from the previous regime of Brendan Rodgers, though hadn't been at the club long when Klopp took to the driving seat.

The Dutchman has risen in profile during his time with the Reds, and is steadily becoming renowned as one of the most forward-thinking coaches in the game.  

Highly rated coach Pepijn Lijnders writes everything down and is also seen as part of the brain

Highly rated coach Pepijn Lijnders writes everything down and is also seen as part of the brain

'Pep has become unbelievably important in a short time because he writes everything down, he is also part of 'the brain' because he is our mind to remember the things what we did in previous sessions,' said Klopp

'He brings us the next coaching generation; we are not old but we are already that long in the business, so it's normal that you have routines, you use them and they are good. 

'We try to stay open all the time, but with Pep he is our connecting point to the present and the future, so that's really, really important.'

 

John Achterberg - First-team goalkeeping coach

Achterberg joined Liverpool's backroom staff in June 2009 after making the short trip across the Mersey from Wirral neighbours Tranmere Rovers.

The Dutchman spent more than 10 years at Prenton Park as a player and, latterly, a goalkeeping coach before bringing his wisdom to Melwood in order to develop the Liverpool 'keepers of tomorrow.

Klopp admits he has never met anyone like John Achterberg, who talks about goalkeeping 24/7

Klopp admits he has never met anyone like John Achterberg, who talks about goalkeeping 24/7

'What can I say about John? I’ve never met a guy like him! He is a goalkeeper coach 24 hours a day!' Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com.

'That’s not always nice, actually, because if you want to talk to him about anything else, he can lead every conversation in a goalkeeping direction. 

'That’s a skill, I think! In the end you think "Did we speak for five minutes about goalkeepers when we started with politics."'

 

Andreas Kornmayer - Head of fitness and conditioning

The man often dubbed as Jurgen's 'Kloppelganger.' Kornmayer is the man who puts into place the immense fitness levels of which Klopp sides are famed for.

With bold spectacles and a trademark goatee, Kornmayer's presence in the dug-out alongside Klopp often provokes laughter, simply because of how similar the two men appear.

Andreas Kornmayer soon became recognised as the club's 'Kloppelganger' in the dug-out

Andreas Kornmayer soon became recognised as the club's 'Kloppelganger' in the dug-out

Klopp brought Kornmayer to Liverpool after developing a deep admiration for his work

Klopp brought Kornmayer to Liverpool after developing a deep admiration for his work

Kornmayer gained Klopp's admiration while working for his Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich - with the German manager crediting him as the source behind the success of their incredible 2012-13 treble-winning season.

'Korny [Kornmayer] is kind of the drill sergeant here. He needs to be. We make the decisions what he has to do and he gives the advice of which specific areas we can improve,' said Klopp. 

'He needs to be the ‘bad boy’ from time to time because players don’t like running – "That’s Korny’s idea, if you ask me you can have a day off but Korny said you have to!"

 

Mona Nemmer - Head of nutrition 

Nemmer is one of the unsung heroes behind the scenes at Anfield, heavily respected for the influence she has had upon the players and their dietary habits - in turn directly impacting upon their performance out on the pitch.

Nemmer arrived on the back of three years at Bayern, where she worked in the same position after being recruited shortly after Pep Guardiola took over at the Allianz Arena.

Klopp sees Nemmer as the 'heart and soul' and credits her 'outstanding' work in her field

Klopp sees Nemmer as the 'heart and soul' and credits her 'outstanding' work in her field

Speaking proudly of Nemmer's contributions, Klopp said: 'Mona [Nemmer] is heart and soul, she is everything. She is so smart. Not one player is in doubt about her – that’s outstanding. 

'Nobody likes it when someone tells you what you’re eating is not good, but Mona is really strong in this. In this department we have changed pretty much everything and the players like it because they know Mona is just there to help them and make their lives easier, at Melwood and at home because she works with their better halves.'