LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp said Scott Parker was doing an “outstanding job” at Cherries and insisted: “In a club like Bournemouth, you need backing from everybody.”

The Merseyside manager, a winner of the Champions League and Premier League at Anfield, saw his side dish out a 9-0 hammering to Parker’s side on Saturday.

The result equalled the Premier League record for biggest margin of victory, as well as the joint-highest defeat for Cherries as a club.

Prior to the game, Klopp described Cherries as a “proper team” for the way they earned Championship promotion last season, as well as outlining his respect for the Dorset outfit in his programme notes.

Klopp was also seen comforting Parker on the touchline during the record-equalling result – a gesture which was described as a “touch of class” by former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas on Match of The Day.

Parker admitted to the Daily Echo the defeat had been the toughest day of his career in football, as either a player or coach.

Asked by the Daily Echo whether he felt sympathy for Parker, and whether he had spoken to him after the game, Klopp replied: “We spoke, of course, but not about that. He didn’t moan or whatever about the situation.

“But when you look at the other two teams who went up (Fulham and Nottingham Forest) and you look what they spend.

“Then you look at Bournemouth and you think, okay… What will happen there? It’s not about the squad is not strong enough or whatever, not at all. It’s just the league is a really tough one.

“Especially I think in a club like Bournemouth, you need backing from everybody, because it will be difficult.

“It’s clear in the moment when you have the promotion – then it’s already clear, the problems start now.”

Parker joined Cherries after leaving Fulham in June 2021, signing a three-year contract at Vitality Stadium.

He guided Cherries to the Premier League last season, finishing second behind Fulham in the Championship table.

“I think he is doing an incredible, absolutely outstanding job arriving there and getting promoted immediately in a league where Fulham is flying away, Nottingham Forest were flying – that was a big one,” continued Klopp.

“Yes, I have a lot of sympathy for him.”

Cherries’ next top-flight test comes against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Vitality Stadium on Wednesday (7.30pm).