Jurgen Klopp arrived at Liverpool on 8 October 2015, the latest in a long list of men tasked with returning the Reds to the summit of English football.
Ten years ago, Liverpool announced the appointment of a manager who was one of the favorites for any job in world football. But it was they who landed Jurgen Klopp – the man who would rewrite history at Anfield.
On 8 October 2015, days after sacking Brendan Rodgers, the Reds moved to appoint a manager who briefly dominated German football. His resilient Borussia Dortmund side was a perfect reflection of their manager and could have been European champions if it weren’t for some controversial decisions.
Klopp arrived at Liverpool and declared it “normal”. His first three-year contract included bonuses for the Premier League title and Champions League qualification. He will do all that and more before leaving in 2024.
The German does what the likes of Rodgers, Rafa Benitez and Kenny Dalglish couldn’t – win the Premier League. They did so in an emphatic manner in 2020 after coming close the year before. If it weren’t for a certain Pep Guardiola, those on Merseyside might be claiming their former manager is a match for Sir Alex Ferguson, given some of the points tallies and records he set.
Klopp’s charisma and personality captured first Germany, and then Europe, as the Dortmund side grew and developed. His philosophy was clear and despite some bumps in the road, it was immediately clear that he was a truly elite manager.
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Klopp had been out of work for several months before the people at Anfield came calling. You get the impression that they made a real effort to act, to ensure that any of the European elites that he was the man leading their charge.
Ten years after the announcement that Klopp would come to England and finally end Liverpool’s widely mocked top-flight drought, we take a look at some of the moments that defined his nine-year tenure.
game definition
Man City 1-4 Liverpool (21 November 2015) – Fans were chasing a bit of hope. Well, it didn’t take long and the first real statement performance of the Klopp era came at the Etihad Stadium. Liverpool arrived and within 32 minutes were 3-0 up. It was their fifth league game under their new manager, but even though Klopp was working with a squad of players in need of a major overhaul, the principles he would conceive were quickly apparent.
Liverpool 3-0 Man City (April 4, 2018) – Three months ago the Reds took a 4-1 lead and beat Guardiola’s side 4-3 to end their record unbeaten run. Their victory in the Champions League was one of those ‘they are coming’ moments as the Premier League leaders were torn apart. It was also one of three European campaigns that culminated with Klopp leading the Reds in the Champions League final.
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (7 May 2019) – Down in the books of “Europe’s great night at Anfield”. Only Liverpool and their storied old stadium can believe that the 3-0 first leg deficit can be overturned. Gini Wijnaldum and Divock Origi both scored twice with a goal that sealed a comeback from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner.
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham (1 June 2019) – If 2018 was a near miss, losing to Real Madrid in the showpiece event, the following year was the culmination of almost four years’ work. Klopp claimed Champions League glory before his Premier League success, but capturing the trophy was a testament to his methods and gave his players the belief to kick.
Man UTD 0-5 Liverpool (October 24, 2021) – All the trophies that have come before have been achievements over seasons, but as a one-off gift to Reds supporters, this one might top the list. Yes, the 7-0 win late in his tenure was symbolic, but the fact that Liverpool ripped apart the Red Devils with such ease in their own backyard was a thing of beauty for anyone in the red half of Merseyside.
Man City 2-2 Liverpool (April 10, 2022) – a) both have accumulated over 90 points and b) it was the second title race between the pair going into the final day. This thrilling draw came after they shared the spoils with the same scoreline at Anfield. Guardiola’s rivalry with City defined a period in Premier League history and produced the highest level of football ever seen.
best signature
Sadio Mane – He was the first player the German landed that you thought, “Yes, he’s a Klopp player.” He excelled at Southampton and his energy, pace and attack informed many top clubs. He went to another level for Liverpool and while he may not have had the headlines of Mo Sala, he helped get the ball rolling.
Virgil Van Dijk – A real watershed moment. It was a sign of their ambition that Liverpool broke their transfer record. They also beat Man City for his services, which became emblematic of the club’s patient approach in the market, which helped them greatly. The centre-half quickly proved that he is the best in the world in his position.
Andy Robertson – Perhaps Klopp and Liverpool’s best defining signing is his philosophy of not breaking the bank like their rivals and seeking more value in the market. It is also an enthusiastic endorsement of the German’s ability to improve players, and the £8 million signing from Hull is another symbol of the energy and graft that are the cornerstones of what he wants to implement.
iconic quote
“I have two glasses, but I can’t find them. It’s hard to find glasses without them. I won for the first time against Bayern Munich and Nuri Sahin broke my glasses. Today it was Adam Lallana.” – Klopp lives in every moment and after the time winner stopped at Norwich early in his tenure, he was so involved in the celebrations that he broke his glasses.
“Monster mentality” – that was the term that would come to define his Liverpool team. Comeback, late goal. Even after his exit, the two-word phrase remains associated with many of the players he managed.
“48 hours between two games – how does this work? And you sit there and say, ‘You didn’t play very well, how did this happen?’ or ‘Injury.’ – Klopp had problems with the crowded Premier League schedule, one of his first rants coming into 2016. This wasn’t the last one interaction with BT Sport’s Des Kelly would stand the test of time.
“That’s how I am, how can I say that, I ran out of energy.” – the announcement of his exit came out of nowhere. But for a man known for his strength, he admitted he had to call it a day.
low point
Bournemouth 4-3 Liverpool – The Reds had built a reputation under Klopp as a team that could take on big games and often beat their main rivals, but they failed to maintain that when they played games they should have won. They took a 3-1 lead at Bournemouth in December 2016, leaving Klopp stunned and making it clear that certain issues needed to be addressed.
Six Anfield losses on the bounce – the 2020/21 title defense failed mainly due to a defensive injury crisis that decimated the back four. Still, for a man who set so much history, he has an unnecessary slice of it.
Liverpool’s epic Anfield 68 game unbeaten run was ended by Burnley in 2021. It set up a run that saw the Reds lose six games on the spin of Anfield, Man City, Everton, Chelsea and Fulham.
Champions League Final 2018 – loss to Real served as the third final defeat in less than three years at the helm. It got worse following a controversial tackle by Sergio Ramos on Salah, which sent the Egyptian away with an injury. The Reds were beaten in the 2016 Carabao Cup final, then came up short in the Europa League final and then the European Cup that same year. Although closed, the cigar was not a story.
Dortmund’s emotional response
No ounce of sour grapes, just great praise for the men who championed them. Klopp’s tenure at Dortmund was not over as the Bundesliga outfit were hoping to eventually finish seventh after languishing near the relegation spot. But their supporters could not forget the epic journey he took them on.
The club posted an image inspired by the Beatles’ famous Abbey Road photo of them jumping across the famous zebra crossing. They said: “We heard the news today about the boy! Jurgen Klopp, the best in the Kop. @LFC! The best in #KLOPPLFC.”
lasting legacy
Much has been said about Manchester United’s struggle to replace Ferguson with his stunning decline still emerging 12 years after his retirement.
It was a different story for Klopp at Anfield. He had claimed that he would only step down from his role if he left the team where he could continue the work he had done over the previous nine years.
And with a team almost entirely assembled by his predecessor, Arne Slott coasted to another Premier League title in 2025.
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