EOTK Close-up with Gregory Vignal: LFC Legends with Eriksson, Klopp's successor & more

Empire of the Kop's Peter Kernny Jones sat down with ex-Liverpool left-back Gregory Vignal in an exclusive chat about the Reds ahead of Liverpool Legends v Ajax Legends

Ahead of taking part in the Liverpool Legends game at Anfield against Ajax, Gregory Vignal joined us for an exclusive chat. We discussed the game, Sven-Goran Eriksson and much more. Here’s our full conversation:

It’s currently Friday and you’ve got a session with the rest of the players tonight, is it going to be a test coming up against Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres?

A test for them as well!

The big news ahead of this game is that Sven-Goran Eriksson will be manager at Anfield, are you looking forward to playing under him?

It's simply great, I think it's fantastic for him. I spoke with Johan, his son, two days ago, what a chance to manage Liverpool Football Club. And I was listening to the message from Jurgen Klopp a few weeks ago too, I think he was inviting him to lead a proper training session with the first team. Sven is a big, massive Liverpool fan so I think it will be a big welcome tomorrow but maybe we'll see him later on today at training too. I think it will be a special day for him.

If we talk about Liverpool at the moment, how did you react when you heard that Jurgen Klopp would be leaving the club at the end of the season?

Well, I think, it has been a big surprise but I think he has been really honest when he spoke to the fans, speaking about energy. It's a big demand to do this job for 8 or 9 years, I don't know if you'll realise what it means to manage Liverpool for nine years. The energy level, the demand, the pressure - wow.

I can only take my hat off because he has done everything right. He’s won everything. So, now I think he deserves to enjoy his life, to go on holidays. I think it could be the right time for him and and what a manager, I mean, wow, just wow.

Who's going to replace him?

Well, that's a good question. Of course, everybody is talking about Xabi Alonso at the moment because he's doing so well with Bayer Leverkusen. There’s a few other names as well, I think it's a big question for the club and it needs to be the right man because it won't be an easy job to be the next one after Klopp.

So, you need to take that on board, I don't know who will be the next one. Hopefully, it will be someone who is a strong character, a strong shoulder. And a special style of play because when you are managing Liverpool, you must be a winner. So, it will be a tough one.

Final question, will Liverpool win the league this season?

If I speak with my heart, I will say yes. But now Manchester City are strong, Arsenal are doing well. And you know the demand of the Premier League, every point is so important. There’s 9 or 10 games left so it's the final sprint, it will be a big fight. So, right now, I think it's difficult to say yes or no.

Arsenal vs. City is the next game, flip a coin and we'll see how it goes, but hopefully, I think it will be for Klopp a good way to end. Finishing with a title, wow - it could be a dream!

Thanks very much to Gregory for joining us for a chat and everyone make sure to follow him on X (formerly Twitter) via @vignalgreg

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