Former Dortmund player makes "disgusting" and "greedy" claim about Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp

Marco Stiepermann has revealed he was 'fascinated' by Jurgen Klopp's 'greedy' football philosophy while working under the German coach at Borussia Dortmund.

Stiepermann progressed through Dortmund's academy before breaking into the first team in 2009 when Klopp was manager at Westfalenstadion.

He moved on from the club in 2012 after making just seven senior appearances and later joined Norwich City, spending four years at Carrow Road.

Stiepermann is currently on the books at Wuppertaler SV but will retire at the end of the season to take charge of amateur side ASC 09 Dortmund, where he hopes to replicate the success of Liverpool's manager.

Klopp was on the brink of a historic treble with the Reds last season, but Manchester City pipped them to the Premier League title before Real Madrid beat them in the Champions League final.

Liverpool have struggled to reach the heights expected of them this term, having been dumped from Europe as well as both domestic cup competitions.

Meanwhile, they are languishing in sixth place in the Premier League, 27 points behind league leaders Arsenal.

Stiepermann: Klopp made us greedy

Despite their dip in form this season, Klopp has undeniably improved Liverpool since his arrival at Anfield in 2015, with the German famously describing his side as 'mentality monsters'.

His teams at Mainz and Dortmund showed a similar hunger and Stiepermann hopes to replicate that with his own teams.

"Even as a young player, I was fascinated by how Kloppo [Jurgen Klopp] was able to grab us as a team from the first to the last man and develop this greed in us," Stiepermann told German publication BILD.

"Even today you feel that all players love him. I will also take everyone with me.

"We were the most disgusting team against the ball for a few years. I want to get that in my boys too. A dear team that does not work properly against the ball will not be successful."

He also tipped his hat to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Arsenal's Mikel Arteta, who have enjoyed an enthralling title race this season.

"I want to play very possession-oriented," added Stiepermann.

"That's why I'm currently studying a lot of games from Man City's Pep Guardiola and Arsenal's Mikel Arteta – their football is the ultimate in this area.

"If we can get just one percent of that in, we're on the right track. I'm taking over a technically strong team that can play this kind of possession football."

Topics: Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, Football

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno