Tonight’s Netherlands against Germany is technically a UEFA Nations League game.
But for Liverpool supporters, it feels like much more than that.
There are so many connections to Liverpool that I’ll definitely be watching this one with a lot more interest than I normally would an international fixture.
For starters, you’ve got Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch and Jeremie Frimpong all involved with the Netherlands.
And then there’s the man standing in the opposite dugout.
Jürgen Klopp.
Yes, I’m going to be very interested in seeing how Klopp does.
This is the beginning of a completely different chapter for the former Liverpool boss, who has taken charge of Germany following his legendary spell at Anfield.
It feels strange seeing Klopp in an international dugout.
For almost nine years, Liverpool was his world.
He signed Van Dijk.
He signed Gakpo.
He signed Gravenberch.
And now three of the players he helped bring to Liverpool will be standing in his way as he begins his Germany reign.
Liverpool’s official website has even highlighted the huge Reds connection surrounding the fixture. Klopp will have Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz alongside him in the Germany setup, while Van Dijk, Gakpo and Gravenberch were all signed by Klopp during his time at Anfield.
How weird is that?
And then you’ve got Van Dijk.
Our captain has only just decided to continue his international career after speaking with new Netherlands boss Xavi.
He’ll captain the Dutch tonight, and it will be fascinating seeing him come up against his former manager.
Van Dijk was actually asked about Klopp ahead of the game and admitted just how important the German remains to him.
But he also made it very clear that the friendship goes out of the window for 90 minutes.
He wants to make sure Klopp loses his first Germany game.
I absolutely love that.
Klopp might have given Liverpool supporters some of the greatest memories of our lives.
He might have transformed the club.
He might still be hugely respected by everyone connected with Liverpool.
But tonight?
Sorry Jürgen.
Virgil wants the Netherlands to win.
And I’m sure Klopp will feel exactly the same way about Germany.
There’s also a particularly interesting subplot involving Gakpo.
Klopp was the manager who brought him to Liverpool from PSV, and Gakpo has developed into one of the most important attacking players in the current Liverpool squad.
He has started this season brilliantly, with four Premier League goal involvements in Liverpool’s opening five matches.
Now he gets to face his former boss.
Then there’s Gravenberch, another player who Klopp brought to Anfield.
And Frimpong adds another Liverpool connection after his move to the Reds.
So you’ve got four current Liverpool players on one side and Klopp on the other.
That is quite a game.
And personally, I can’t wait to see what Klopp does tactically.
This is his first competitive match as Germany manager, with UEFA describing Netherlands-Germany as the first match of his reign.
There will obviously be plenty of attention on how he sets Germany up.
Will we see the intensity we became so accustomed to at Liverpool?
Will Germany press aggressively?
Will he try to play on the front foot?
Will he change his approach because international football simply doesn’t give managers the same amount of training time as club football?
Those are the things I’ll be watching.
Because Klopp has spent years talking about building relationships with players and creating a particular mentality.
Now he has to do that with a national team.
And he doesn’t have months to work with them.
He has days.
That’s a completely different challenge.
There is also something quite nice about the fact that Klopp’s first competitive game comes against the Netherlands.
Liverpool supporters have such a strong connection with Dutch players because of the Klopp era.
Van Dijk became arguably the best centre-back in the world during Klopp’s reign.
Gakpo became an important attacking option.
Gravenberch has now become a key midfielder.
And tonight, they are all on the other side.
Football really does throw up some strange situations.
The Netherlands-Germany match kicks off at 7.45pm BST at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, with the fixture marking the opening competitive games for both Xavi and Klopp in their new international jobs.
From a Liverpool perspective, though, there is one thing I’ll be hoping for above everything else.
No injuries.
We’ve already got enough players away on international duty during this extended break.
The last thing Andoni Iraola needs is for one of his key players to return to Kirkby carrying an injury.
So I’ll be watching.
I’ll be watching Van Dijk.
I’ll be watching Gakpo.
I’ll be watching Gravenberch.
I’ll be watching Frimpong.
But most of all?
I’ll be watching Klopp.
Because whether you loved every minute of his Liverpool reign or simply appreciated what he achieved at Anfield, it’s impossible not to be interested in seeing what happens next.
Tonight is the beginning.
Jürgen Klopp is back in competitive management.
And somehow, his first opponent is going to be packed with Liverpool connections.
I can’t wait.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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