Jurgen Klopp once confessed he was not too pleased with the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo had returned to Manchester United, amid fears he would make the Red Devils a force once again.
Speaking in September of 2021, the Liverpool boss was asked for his thoughts on the transfer, to which he replied: "Am I happy that he is at United? No, I can't say that.
When pressed for further comment, he admitted: "Yes, unfortunately [he's too good a player]. He was going to City and I thought 'Oh, that could be fun for United' and then, obviously, United stepped in and did it. It's all fine. It's a free world and they can do what they want."
Thankfully for the German, it turns out he had very little to worry about. Ronaldo enjoyed a solid enough first season back in Manchester with 18 league goals.
However, when the second season was cut short after his tell-all interview with Piers Morgan, in which he claimed he had no respect for his manager, Erik ten Hag, and belittled the club's facilities, it's a transfer that can certainly be thrown into the 'failed pile'.
In fact, Klopp's comments couldn't have been a starker contrast from what actually played out, with Ronaldo causing more headaches to his own managers than the opposition ones - and the promise of his professionalism backfiring on Ten Hag.
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After reportedly falling out with Ralf Rangnick during his interim reign, things soured further under the reign of Ten Hag, who was keen to cut ties with the 37-year-old forward in a bid to distance the club from constant rumours and speculation surrounding Ronaldo's future.
He eventually got his wish after the former Real Madrid man aired his dirty laundry in full view of the footballing world, making a mockery of a proud institution in the process.
Though he may have been furious with his lack of game-time, it is undeniable that the Red Devils were operating far slicker without Ronaldo on the pitch. This is a trend that looks like it will continue after his permanent departure, with United's two games since his exit ending in comfortable victories over Burnley and Nottingham Forest respectively.
Ironically, Klopp has since praised a Ronaldo-less United and claimed the Red Devils are having an "exceptional" first season with Ten Hag at the helm.
Discussing the race to finish inside the top four and qualify for the Champions League, Klopp said, as per the Manchester Evening News: "I think it was tough every year, to be honest, we did it quite early for three of the last four years.
"Credit to us if you want because it was always tricky but, of course, awe all knew that Newcastle would be a massive contender from now on and it’s clear with Man United and Arsenal playing an exceptional season, all respect for that, City is City so all of a sudden you have four teams occupying, Tottenham fighting hard, Chelsea still there."
United are breathing down the necks of Tottenham who currently sit fourth, one point in front but having played a game more than Ten Hag's men.
Should the Dutchman guide United back into European club football's most elite competition, it would send quite the statement to those that questioned his desire to get rid of a Ronaldo who looks set to up sticks to Saudi Arabia.
