Jurgen Klopp and Frank Lampard have heaped praises on Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford for his campaign against child poverty in the UK.
The 22-year-old has been urging the Government to continue their free school meals scheme over the upcoming school holidays, having already forced an extension to provide vouchers for 1.3 million disadvantaged kids.
The campaign was dealt a huge blow this week as MPs in Parliament voted against another extension – something which has been adopted in Scotland and Wales.
‘I’m not sure I can find any better words than other and much smarter people than me said about it,’ Jurgen Klopp said at his press conference ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with Sheffield United.
‘But what Marcus started there is absolutely incredible and it’s so nice. With all the rivalry between the clubs and stuff like this, in these moments as footballers – and as human beings – always united.
‘It’s just nice to show in a time when obviously a lot of people who are really in charge of something and don’t show any sign of proper leadership, that a boy grown up in difficult circumstances, blessed with a sensational talent obviously, never forgot his roots and where he is coming from.
‘That he has to do it then is a bit of a shame but is wonderful as well. I hope his mother is really proud of him. I don’t know him but even I am.
‘He plays for United, which makes it really tricky! But it’s really an absolutely wonderful, wonderful thing.
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‘Whatever praise he got – and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want the praise now anymore, it’s nice to do it once – that’s how it is.
‘Now he is in the role and now he is the role model for that and that’s great and it will not distract him from his football things. But, yeah, absolutely great and happy about it.’
Chelsea head coach Lampard says Rashford deserves credit for what he has achieved so far with the campaign.
‘It’s been great to see young players with personality, with a voice, speaking up for things that they care passionately about,’ he said. ‘I absolutely commend him for that.
‘There are a group of players now in the Premier League – doesn’t matter what age or what team you play for – that are speaking out in the right way. It’s been fantastic and he deserves credit for it.’
