Matt Beard has paid tribute to "fantastic person" Jurgen Klopp as his Liverpool counterpart edges towards a summer exit at Anfield. 

Klopp's trophy-laden nine-year stint on Merseyside will come to an end when the season finishes. 

The popular German tactician, 56, is set to take a break from football but Beard, who manages Liverpool's Women's Super League side, will remain a huge admirer. 

He told LiveScore: "He's been great for me. He's always a text message away and vice versa.

"I just think if you look at the reaction from the fans in the city with him going, it shows what he's achieved at the club.

"It's sad he's going but sometimes you've got to look after yourself. He's been here nine years and done an unbelievable job.

"He's been through a lot personally as well. I'm gutted from a personal point of view because he's a fantastic person.

"He's been an amazing servant, not only to Liverpool Football Club, but with the excitement he's brought to the Premier League as well."

Grand ambitions

Liverpool's women's side are bidding to follow in the footsteps of the men by picking up some of the biggest trophies the game has to offer.  

Beard's Reds head into Matchday 13 occupying fifth place in the WSL table — ahead of Sunday's opponents Tottenham on goal difference. 

They moved into the men's team's old Melwood training ground last summer and the former West Ham boss believes that change has been instrumental to their improvement on the pitch.

Beard, 46, added: "It's played a massive part. For the players, everything's covered for them. 

"But also, the history of Melwood and what it means to Liverpool Football Club, I think that adds a little bit of a sense of responsibility on their shoulders. 

"I think from a recruitment perspective, it will be a big help as well in the long term."

Spurs test

Liverpool have had a gruelling start to 2024 after kicking off the year with games against title-chasers Manchester City and Arsenal, both of which ended in defeats.

But in Robert Vilahamn's Spurs, they face a team with an identical record in the WSL this term. 

And Beard knows the importance of getting back on track as they look to keep up with the division's top dogs.

He said: "Vilahamn has done a great job in such a short space of time.

"They're a little bit similar to us, I think. We've had some good results. We beat Arsenal and they did as well. 

"We've both had a hammering against City. They've improved a lot in the transfer window, just like us. I think it makes for an interesting game for the neutral.

"But it's important for us, if we want to stay connected to that top three or four, that we get three points on Sunday after not getting anything in January."