Roy Keane refused to criticise Jurgen Klopp's style but admitted one moment of the German's tenure left him 'sat at home cringing'.
The Manchester United legend reflected on the Liverpool manager's nine-year stint at the club ahead of his final two games at Anfield.
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Keane compared Klopp's management style to Sir Alex Ferguson's but revealed an early moment of his reign left him cringing.
Just two months into his arrival in English football, a late Divock Origi equaliser saw Liverpool scrape a 2-2 draw at home to West Brom.
In an infamous moment after full-time, Klopp forced his players to link hands and parade in front of the home fans in front of the Kop.
The gesture, intended to get the supporters on side, was widely derided by rivals with Liverpool languishing in ninth at the time.
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Keane told Sky Sports: "[That game vs] West Brom, they drew and he's got them all cheering and holding hands at the end.
"I was at home cringing going what's this guy up to?
"But he knew what he was doing. He's a smart cookie."
Klopp quickly abandoned the team gesture but later became known for his famous hugs that he regularly dishes out to his players.
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Keane claimed that he never wanted to receive cuddles from Ferguson during his playing days, but refused to criticise Klopp for them.
"At the end of the season if you win something [I'd have one], he said. "I wouldn't be critical of him.
"Everyone's different and that's his personality. That's what he's brought to the football club. I won't be critical of that, far from it.
"I think if you win something at the end of the season. sure hugs for everybody but week in week out… That's his style of management and it's obviously worked for him."
"Maybe not too many [hugs from Ferguson] but I didn't want any," Keane continued.
"We were there to do a job and win trophies and that's the style of that manager.
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"Things have changed. We see most managers now on the pitch every week. Times are changing."
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Keane was at Anfield for Liverpool's clash with Tottenham with Klopp in the dugout for just three more games.
The Reds have seen their hopes of winning the Premier League in his last season dashed in recent weeks.
However, Keane shared his huge respect for what Klopp has achieved in the English game.
Keane said: "Huge respect for what he's done with the club from his personality to style of football. They're back competing at the highest level. They've had disappointments like every other football club.
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"The way they fell away the last few weeks is probably hard to stomach for a lot of fans. The Everton performance and result, the European games, the spat with [Mohamed] Salah - a little sour taste.
"If you step back and look at the bigger picture about the manager and what he's about, it's amazing."