The latest Liverpool news as ex-boss Jurgen Klopp makes an apology as a current Reds fan favourite is called out by an icon of the game
Chris Burns Senior Sports Writer
06:30, 22 Nov 2025
Jurgen Klopp apologised to a former Liverpool star after failing to sign him for Borussia Dortmund(Image: Alex Grimm, Getty Images)
Liverpool are set to return to action this Saturday as they face Nottingham Forest at Anfield. The fixture arrives following a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Manchester City that sent the Reds into the international break on a low note.
Prior to their loss against City, Liverpool had been on a winning streak, securing victories against Aston Villa and Real Madrid, keeping clean sheets in both matches. The small resurgence had given fans hope that the Reds were back on track after a series of losses threatened their Premier League title defence.
However, following their recent setback against City, Arne Slot’s team now sits eighth in the league table, highlighting the urgent need for points. Amidst this, a former Liverpool star has opened up about his relationship with ex-manager Jurgen Klopp, while a current favourite is reportedly at odds with his national team coach.
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Jurgen Klopp’s apology
Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane has shared that Jurgen Klopp apologised to him for not signing him during his tenure at Borussia Dortmund. Mane, who moved from Southampton to Liverpool in 2016, enjoyed a successful eight-year spell at Anfield.
Klopp had spotted Mane’s talent while he was at Red Bull Salzburg in 2014, during his time managing Dortmund. In a wide-ranging chat on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Mane said: “I met Klopp. He wanted to bring me to Dortmund, but it didn’t work out.”
Sadio Mane has revealed Jurgen Klopp apologised to him(Image: Rio Ferdinand Presents / YouTube)
When Klopp moved to Liverpool, he reached out to Mane about joining the Reds. The Senegalese star continued: “Klopp called me. First of all, I say, ‘Coach…’ He said, ‘How are you? It was my fault, you didn’t come to Dortmund. Because, you know, I wanted to come there. I met him first. I was not happy.'”.
“And he apologised for this. And he said, ‘We will build the team no one wants to play against. And then, if we grow up together, you will play every game.’
“So when he was in Liverpool, and I was also making my way, I go to Southampton. And that was, ‘OK, we meet again.'”
Reflecting on Klopp’s persuasive tactics that led him to Anfield, he said: “He [Klopp] called me. He said, ‘Listen, it didn’t work out. It was my fault. So what do you think? We work again or?'”.
“And then I go to meet [Mauricio] Pochettino [at Tottenham]. I say, ‘OK, so make sure you agree with my agent, everything. I will come to Tottenham.’ And I come back home, three days after, Klopp called me. I say, ‘This is my Klopp. This is the right…this is what I want.'”
Mane has been a key player for the Reds, scoring 120 goals and providing 46 assists in 269 appearances across all competitions, helping them secure a Premier League title, an FA Cup, a League Cup and the Champions League at Anfield.
Chiesa ‘problem’ emerges
Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso has suggested Federico Chiesa ‘has a problem’ whilst explaining the Liverpool winger’s continued absence from the national team.
The 28-year-old hasn’t pulled on an Italy shirt since their European Championships last-16 defeat to Switzerland in June 2024. Whilst Chiesa found opportunities limited at Anfield during his first season on Merseyside last year, he’s become a regular fixture in the current campaign, contributing two goals and three assists.
Gattuso has been keen to bring Chiesa back into the Italy setup since taking charge of the national side in June. Yet the Liverpool player has turned down call-ups for the September, October and November international windows.
Federico Chiesa hasn’t played for Italy since June 2024(Image: AP)
“You know it well. You know Chiesa’s problem,” Gattuso told Sky Sports Italia. “You always ask me the same thing. I call Chiesa in every call-up; I always talk to him.
“The problem is not Gattuso or his staff; he has a problem, not us. You know it well. You always ask the same thing, and I always answer the same.”
Pressure is mounting for Chiesa to rejoin the squad. Italian World Cup winner Francesco Graziani has argued that the Azzurri require Chiesa’s return to maximise their prospects of securing qualification for next summer’s World Cup.
“We will qualify for the World Cup, but in this team, there are no champions,” the 1982 world champion told Tuttosport. “Even though it’s made of excellent players, we are missing world-class talents such as [Alessandro] Del Piero or [Francesco] Totti. Chiesa absolutely needs to be recovered.”
