Klopp tribute to Hodgson after Palace departure

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp lavished praise on a veteran of the sport this week.

Klopp took the time to talk about Roy Hodgson, who left Crystal Palace by mutual consent.

Hodgson was the oldest manager in the top flight by some distance, having come out of retirement to return to Palace last season.

Asked about ex-Reds boss Hodgson, Klopp told reporters: I think I said a couple of times I don't really understand why he is still doing the job! With my situation he'll probably understand a bit better, but I don't understand what he is doing!

One of the greatest I ever met, definitely, for that long time in the business [he is a] human full of experience. [He] trend-set in the beginning; he kept his idea. It's always like this when it's not going well.

That's the problem in our business then people forget a little bit how good the times were before. I think Crystal Palace could be like that if there were some supporters who were shouting for him to get the sack. They definitely forgot how good a job he did in the few times when he was there.

I hope he is doing well. I hope because that obviously was a shock last week when I heard about that he was taken ill in training. That's nothing that should happen at all. I hope he is doing well and when he is doing well then I wish him just the very best of times that he can have and stay healthy.

That would be the most important but it's a bit of a shame that I couldn't say properly goodbye to him because we faced each other quite frequently and like each other a lot. But, yeah, that's not the biggest problem."