Alex Manninger told emotional Liverpool story in final interview before death

Alex Manninger told emotional Liverpool story in final interview before deathAlex Manninger spoke openly in the days before his death about the enjoyment he got from his spell at Liverpool, which marked his retirement, as well as his Premier League success at ArsenalSportSamuel Meade Sports Brand Writer17:34, 16 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesLiverpool proved to be Alex Manninger's last club before retiring(Image: Getty)Alex Manninger gave an interview just days before his sudden passing where he recalled a phone call with Jurgen Klopp that convinced him to see out his career with Liverpool.‌The Austrian goalkeeper, whose final spell came at Anfield after a period with Arsenal in the 1990s, sadly died at the age of 48 on Thursday after his car was struck by a train in Salzburg. Local reports state that Manninger was driving at a level crossing in Pabing, near Nussdorf am Haunsberg, at 8:20am before his vehicle was dragged several metres by the train. He died at the scene.‌Manninger played for the likes of Fiorentina, Torino, Bologna, Siena, Juventus, Red Bull Salzburg and Augsburg. It was with the latter that he caught Klopp's attention, prompting the German to bring him to Anfield.‌The Austrian had excelled for Augsburg as they beat Klopp's Borussia Dortmund side, with his performance leaving its mark on the former Liverpool boss.READ MORE: Arsenal and Liverpool send tributes to Alex Manninger after goalkeeper's death aged 48READ MORE: Ex-Arsenal and Liverpool goalkeeper Alex Manninger dies aged 48 after tragic car accidentHe told Gazetta Dello Sport: “It all started with a phone call. Jurgen knew everything about me. I’d beaten his Dortmund side with Augsburg two years earlier. [He said] ‘I want that goalkeeper there. That day you saved everything against us. You have to do it for me, too’. I never actually played, I was 40, but leaving football and saying goodbye to the fans in front of the Kop was an amazing feeling.”‌Manninger would serve as back-up t...