Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has paid a touching tribute to Bill Kenwright - and hailed the late Everton chairman for his poignant Hillsborough speech in 2013.
Kenwright, a lifelong Everton supporter who was born in Wavertree, passed away just weeks after spending a prolonged period of time in intensive care for treatment on a cancerous tumour on his liver.
Everton confirmed that Kenwright, who had served as chairman since 2004 after succeeding Sir Philip Carter, passed away on Monday surrounded by his loved ones.
Speaking at his pre-Toulouse press conference on Wednesday, Klopp paid tribute to Kenwright as well as Sir Bobby Charlton, the former Manchester United captain, who passed away on Sunday.
National media pay tribute to Bill Kenwright and share new Everton stories
UPDATES: Full recap of Jurgen Klopp press conference ahead of Liverpool vs Toulouse
"The thing that I read recently, obviously, [he had] a massive heart for the city [of Liverpool] and a massive heart for Everton but the message he gave around the Hillsborough speech he held that time, I heard about: 'They chose the wrong city and chose the wrong mums'. That's a really strong message," said Klopp when asked if he had a tribute for Everton's late owner.
"With all of the rivalry with Everton, especially around the games, I don't think we have any issues with each other left or right of games. This just shows how united we are in these moments, and that's really big. He found the right words for it. My condolences to the family. I hope they are ok."
On Charlton's passing, Klopp said beforehand: "I don't think I can add anything. I never met any of them, at least not as far as I know. But being eight years in England now, especially Sir Bobby, I knew
Read on liverpoolecho.co.uk