Robin van Persie reveals that Jurgen Klopp offered him the biggest compliment of his career

Robin van Persie said that Jurgen Klopp gave him words that boosted morale during his stay at Arsenal and followed him throughout his career.

The Dutch striker, who recently retired at the age of 35, was playing for the Gunners against Borussia Dortmund, then led by Jurgen Klopp, in the Champions League in 2011 when the coach German distinguished him.

Van Persie scored the first goal of the 1-1 draw, but it's his versatility that impressed Klopp so much.

"Jurgen Klopp has made the nicest compliments:" I have never seen a player play in three positions at the same time, "van Persie said.

"I fell in the game, I took the wings, I was in front.

"The team adapted to my style of play, it played for me, that's the only reason I scored the goal and presented an outstanding performance."

And respect seems to be reciprocal. Van Persie is very fond of the style of play that Klopp applies in his clubs.

"They play with four in the back and before that, two blocks of three and these two blocks are constantly covering each other at the back," he continued.

"It's nice to see how it works, there must be loads of work, there is no other way.

"They have to trust each other, these players. If one of them goes away, the others must be at his back and another at his back.

"For Klopp, it must also be cool to see that his philosophy is really in this team."

As an ex-Arsenal player, van Persie will most likely support Liverpool in his Champions League final against fierce Gunners rival, Tottenham Hotspur, on Saturday.

He decided to hang up after a final season in his childhood club Feyenoord, where he scored 18 goals in 31 appearances during the 2018/2019 season.