Ronnie O’Sullivan reveals love for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

The six-time world champion spent two years living in Liverpool in the 1990s and has a soft spot for the city and one of its football teams after watching Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Michael Owen prowl the Anfield turf.

The Rocket revelled in watching Liverpool end 30 years of top-flight hurt and seeing captain Jordan Henderson finish second – ahead of O’Sullivan, who failed to make the podium – in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.

O'Sullivan is a huge admirer of the Liverpool boss and reckons snooker players can learn from his Germanic efficiency.

The 45-year-old, who will face Ding Junhui in the first round of the Masters on Wednesday, said: "I love Kloppy.

"You can’t help but love him – it’s great what he’s done at Liverpool. He’s made them – not just Liverpool but Borussia Dortmund.

"He’s got a great style and the teams he produces are fantastic teams. You can’t help but be a fan of the way he goes about his business.

"I think when you hear him talk, he’d make a good CEO of a company because he does his research, knows his players and he’s very on top of stuff.

"He looks at the overall character of the player, whether they’re going to fit into his squad, the culture of it, so he’s very aware of the dynamics, and stuff like that.

"I think coming from a German background they’re very, very good like that. They’re not so impulsive and they’re quite logical about stuff.

"They think of the bigger picture, which he’s obviously very good at.

"I love Liverpool and have got a real soft spot for the place."

O’Sullivan is currently gearing up for a crack at an eighth Masters title.

The second major of the season was due to be held in front of 1000 fans per session at Alexandra Palace is instead behind closed doors in a Covid-secure bubble in Milton Keynes.

The Rocket is yet to scoop silverware since his thrilling World Championship triumph last summer as Judd Trump, Neil Robertson and three-time Crucible king Mark Selby have dominated the start of the season.

In a massive blow to the tournament, Trump was forced to withdraw from the Masters after testing positive for coronavirus but Selby and Robertson remain key contenders.

O’Sullivan is hungry for that elusive 38th ranking event title and reckons it’s about time he burst their bubble on the Buckinghamshire baize.

He added: "I haven’t yet won a tournament since the World Championship. I’ve had a couple of finals which I’m happy with, a semi-final, but I haven’t won a trophy.

"I think those three [Trump, Robertson and Selby] have dominated the season so far, so I’d like to win a bit of silverware at some point.

"I’d take any tournament – I’ve always been greedy in that sort of sense. Obviously, the majors [World Championship, UK Championship and Masters] are great to win but sometimes it’s just nice to just get a W.

"Even with the Premier League tournaments I won – I could never say after winning a tournament I’ve not enjoyed it, but obviously the World [Championship], the Masters and the UK [Championship] are a bit more extra special. But a win’s a win, sometimes."

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