What Jurgen Klopp said about Jarrod Bowen as West Ham star hands Liverpool title boost

Yahoo

22-02-2025

Liverpool has been handed the initiative once more in the title race after West Ham stunned Arsenal at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta's side went into the encounter knowing three points would close the gap to Liverpool to five points.
The Reds take on Manchester City on Sunday and this weekend looked set to be a pivotal one in the title race. And it will be just that, with Liverpool now having the opportunity to go 11 clear with victory at the Etihad.
Jarrod Bowen scored the only goal of the game for the Hammers, who hung on to claim all three points. The visitors' task was made easier after Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a red card after tripping Mohamed Kudus.
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Bowen has been linked with a move to Liverpool in the past and remains one of the best players in the Premier League, outside of the top six. And former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was also a huge fan.
Speaking ahead of a Carabao Cup clash with the Hammers last season, the then-Liverpool manager was fulsome in his praise of the 27-year-old. 'Playing without [Michail] Antonio, and Bowen steps up in that position — probably my favorite player besides my players,' Klopp said (via This Is Anfield). 'It's just great what he's doing and how he develops.'
Those comments followed a stream of previous compliments from the former Liverpool boss too. 'I like Bowen a lot,' he said in November 2021. 'He made his way up from, was it Hull, if I'm right? And took not too long to get there, to show exactly what kind of player he can be in the Premier League as well, made big steps,' added Klopp.
A few months later, he was at it again. 'Bowen, what a player he became, unbelievable! 'We saw him as well at Hull and he was really good that time, but I'm not sure a lot of people expected this jump. Unbelievable player,' Klopp effused.
His fondness for the winger was even mentioned in Pep Lijnders' book, Intensity. In a team meeting ahead of a clash at the London Stadium in 2021/22, Klopp pinpointed West Ham's key players, noting: 'they signed Jarrod Bowen, the Mo Salah of the Championship.' High praise indeed.
This article was first published in May 2024. It has since been updated.