Sawt Falasteen - Klopp wants German team to help reclaim national pride from far-right

In a Frankfurt press conference announcing his first squad as Germany manager, the former Liverpool coach referenced a recent state election landslide win by the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party.

The AfD won almost 44 percent of the vote in the former East German state of Saxony-Anhalt on September 6 and expects strong results in elections Sunday in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Klopp took over the Germany job in July after the four-time World Cup winners suffered a third straight early elimination at the tournament.

The 59-year-old has often spoke out about social issues during his time as manager of Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz.

While not mentioning the AfD by name, Klopp advocated for adopting "positive patriotism", while saying: "I don't want to entrust national pride to the wrong people.

"A crazy amount of things have happened not that long ago. There was a vote which some people probably found OK, but others would have thought 'good heavens, what's going on here?'"

"From the perspective of someone in sport, I'd like to reclaim the flag for myself and for us. When we wave it, I don't want that someone thinks 'what's going on with you?'

"I want that they think you're happy and you understand how lucky you are to be born in this wonderful country or to have moved here and live here."

Topics involving patriotism and nationalism are often sensitive in Germany, a country still at pains to atone for its dark history of Nazi rule, World War II and the Holocaust.

Speaking of national pride, Klopp said he was "not even sure if one can -- or is allowed to -- use that term anymore without it being misunderstood".

"I can be proud of being German and still be open, diverse, kind and friendly."

The coach said it was more important that the country had enough doctors and caregivers, but said football can "foster a sense of community here, allowing us to truly feel the power of sport".

On Thursday, Klopp took the unusual step of naming a huge 44-man squad for four upcoming Nations League matches, despite matchday lists being restricted to 23 players.

"It's very unusual that you've got four games in two weeks with the national team," Klopp said.

"I want to get to know as many players as possible in that time."

Klopp won the Champions League and Premier League during a trophy-laden nine-year stint at Liverpool.

M.Qasim--SF-PST