Jurgen Klopp's Rejuvenation of Liverpool

Before the start of the season there was a sense of worry amongst Liverpool fans. The team had just come off a mid table year after utterly collapsing the previous season. In addition the Reds had lost supposed star Raheem Sterling to Manchester City in the off season. Hopes were not high for Liverpool fans and most of the vitriol was directed at manager Brendan Rodgers. Sure the transfer committee had gotten their fair share of blame for their moves. Yet many blamed Rodgers for the collapse and the  horrendous 2014-2015 season which included the disappointing Champions and Europa League performances. This season was the make it or break it year for Rodgers. After this season got off to another middling start, the Reds made a change. A change that has brought hope back to Liverpool fans. A change that has already yielded results that Liverpool fans had not imagined headed into the year. 

Jurgen Klopp has always been considered a genius. He had taken Borussia Dortmund to unprecedented heights in German Football.  Under Klopp: Dortmund win 2 Bundesliga titles, won a domestic double for the first time in Dortmund history, set the record for points in the Bundesliga at the time. He was also regarded as being one of the most passionate coaches on the pitch. One that was not afraid to show his emotions towards the officials, players, or fans. His gegenpress style had been considered innovative for years and often was mimicked, but never truly duplicated. Klopp is widely considered to be one of the greatest minds in modern football. So when Liverpool got off to a slow start, there was one name that the fans wanted. One person that the fans knew would change the course of Liverpool football club. That was Klopp.

Klopp could not have come to Liverpool at a better time. The club was sitting 10th in the table, had only earned 12 points in their first 8 games, and had just drawn against their crosstown rival Everton. Maybe even worse the club had become boring. Playing a style of play that had shifted from the electrifying offense of Suarez to a middling, possession based game. Many wondered if Coutinho was regretting his decision to sign with the club, as he was being misused at the time. The whole club needed a complete makeover, not only in the form of bringing in players, but the style and system that they had been playing. That was why the Klopp signing was the injection this team needed. Any sensible fan knew that it would take a season and summer transfer window for Klopp to really institute change and rebuild the club in his image. But the change was desperately needed for Liverpool to regain prominence and challenge for titles again. There was no better option for Liverpool than Klopp. 

There have been speedbumps along the way. Liverpool has fluctuated between 7th and 10th under Klopp. SkySports came out with a comparison between Rodgers first year with the club and Klopp's first season. Klopp and Rodgers record are identical, with Klopp's teams conceding more. Of course this is not fair as Klopp has not even been on the job a year and Liverpool were a mess before he got to Anfield. In addition in his tenure, there have been enormous injuries that have affected the strength of the club. These injuries caused a delay in Klopp implementing his gegenpress style. There are times where Klopp's teams have a propensity to cough up leads late: like Southhampton, Tottenham, Dortmund, etc. If the Reds had held onto those leads there is no telling where they would sit in the table. The loss to Southhampton was especially damning given that the team held a 2-0 lead on Southhampton. Another speedbump was the loss in the Capital One Cup and subsequent strange selection for penalties. The defense still does not appear to be able to defend a set piece. These speedbumps, however should not write Klopp's tenure off in the minds of Liverpool fans.

What this Liverpool team has achieved under Klopp has been tremendous. Again for a time, Liverpool was without Sturridge, Coutinho, Danny Ings, etc. Yet this team has managed to make a cup final, have a chance to qualify for the Europa League, and have an away goal advantage against Dortmund who are arguably the best remaining side in that competition. Under Klopp, the team has knocked off the likes of Man City(twice), Man United, and Leicester. One has to wonder if those results would be the same with Rodgers as manager. Even the draw against the potent Tottenham squad was an accomplishment.  It is not just about results where you see the improvement of this team under the German. Jurgen has given Liverpool fans a new sense of hope. Liverpool look more competitive and do not shrink in the big moments under Klopp. Dortmund is an intimidating place to play, yet Liverpool took it to the heavy favorites. The team seemed to draw from Klopp's emotions and encouragement. Again, I do not think this team would have reacted the same way had Rodgers still been in charge. The style of play has become more appealing, while helping to remake players careers. 

There is no question that Klopp's system has advanced players careers. Jordon Ibe has thrived in Klopp's system. The winger has more space and is allowed to use his pace more than when he was in Rodgers' system. Ibe had been limited, but now has more room to work and create. Roberto Firmino has excelled in the system. So much so that Firmino has been added to the Brazilian National Team over the legendary Kaka. Klopp has also saved players careers. Divock Origi last season had been labeled as one of the worst players in French Ligue 1. Sure he was only 19, but many Liverpool fans had thought that Origi was going to be a bust. Yet under Klopp, he has improved beyond what anyone had thought he was possible of doing. He seems to be the model of player that the gegenpress was built for. He may not score in every game, but Origi has been more creative and wrecked havoc on defenses with his pace. Oh and he appears to be getting stronger both in stature(he had to go up a shirt size he had put in so much muscle) and play(3 goals in 1 week). Then there is Joe Allen. Allen's career appeared to be headed to obscurity where he would only be known for looking like Andrea Pirlo. Yet, since Klopp has arrived, Allen's career has been reborn. Allen has been able to show his ability to create and keep possession and track back to help defend. The system has turned Allen into a true box to box midfielder. 

Klopp is winning with Brendan Rodgers' players. Players that many had thought would not be able to contribute to Liverpool have. Now Klopp has a chance to take these same players to the Europa League semifinals. Something that seemed out of the realm of possibility under Rodgers. There have been speedbumps, but the rejuvenation of Liverpool under Klopp has begun.