Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has praised Steve Cooper for the job he’s done at Nottingham Forest during 2021/22.
The Reds boss collected the Manager of the Year accolade at last night’s LMA awards ceremony.
He has won both domestic trophies this season and on Saturday they’ll face Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Klopp did see his team come up short in the Premier League. Liverpool wracked up a ridiculously impressive 92 points but finished a point behind Manchester City.
In the Championship it’s Steve Cooper who has come in for praise for his work.
He checked in at Forest in September when the club sat at the bottom of the table with just four points from eight matches.
Cooper has overseen a remarkable run of form and on Sunday he will lead his team out at Wembley for the play-off final.
If Forest win the game they will end their 23-year exodus from the Premier League and sit at the table among the country’s elite.
Klopp has come across Cooper this season. Liverpool defeated Forest 1-0 in the FA Cup quarter-final in March.
Back then he was complimentary of the Forest boss and after collecting his award last night Klopp offered further praise.
In quotes recited by Goal, Klopp said: “Thank you to all my colleagues. For example, what Steve Cooper did at Nottingham (Forest) is crazy.”
Klopp hands praise to Cooper and the pair could lock horns next season if Forest win on Sunday
Cooper will go to bed on Saturday night dreaming of the Premier League.
It will be the second successive year that he’s walked out as a manager in the play-off final and he will want to go one better this time.
His Swansea team were battered by Brentford last year, with the 2-0 scoreline flattering the Swans.
This year Forest and Huddersfield do look to be more evenly matched this time around.
It’s been far too long since the Reds graced the top flight and on Sunday the dream could finally become a reality.
Cooper is a humble man. Although he will welcome praise from Klopp, he would dearly love to be sharing the touchline with him on a regular basis from next season.