Alex Manninger shared emotional Jurgen Klopp story in interview before tragic death

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Former Liverpool and Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger died at the age of 48 on Thursday, just days after sharing emotional memories of Jurgen Klopp's phone call that brought him to Anfield

Dejan Lovren and Alex Manninger of Liverpool during a training session at Melwood Training Ground(Image: Getty Images)

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, who ended his playing days at Anfield following an earlier stint with Arsenal in the 1990s, tragically passed away aged 48 on Thursday after his car was struck by a train in Salzburg. Local reports indicate that Manninger was crossing a level crossing in Pabing, near Nussdorf am Haunsberg, at 8:20am when his vehicle was dragged several meters by the train. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Throughout his career, Manninger represented the likes of Fiorentina, Torino, Bologna, Siena, Juventus, Red Bull Salzburg and Augsburg. It was his performances at the latter that caught Klopp's eye, prompting the German manager to bring him to Merseyside.

The Austrian had impressed greatly for Augsburg in a victory over Klopp's Borussia Dortmund, a display that left a lasting impression on the former Reds boss.

He 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 was brought in as a deputy to Simon Mignolet during his time at Anfield, though he never made an appearance. Nevertheless, it proved a valuable experience, marking his second spell in the Premier League following his involvement with a triumphant Arsenal squad.

Alex Manninger during his time at Arsenal(Image: GETTY )

The Austrian goalkeeper was part of Arsene Wenger's historic double-winning side, securing both the league title and FA Cup in 1998.

The Gunners delivered an impressive second-half surge that season, with Manninger acknowledging the enormous benefit of having Tony Adams marshaling the defense ahead of him.

"It still excites me just thinking about it," he reflected. "

I was 20 years old, I was a kid. Wenger wanted to bring an international dimension to the club and focus on youngsters, I was one of them. Despite my age, I felt calm in goal. I had a monster like Tony Adams in front of me. He taught me a lot. I only have one regret: Leaving too soon. But you know, I wanted to play."