It is understandable why it irks fans of various Premier League clubs when Liverpool fans wax lyrical about their history. Not having won the league since its name changed in the early 90’s, dominating the European football scene across a two-decade blitzkrieg in the 70’s and 80’s, the club and their fans have craved a return to normalcy and to “where they belong”.
But with almost nothing to match up to the high standards set in yesteryears and yet showing such entitled confidence and passion? “Bah, Liverpool fans”, fans of other clubs say.
So ever since Jurgen Klopp named his first Premier League lineup on the 17th of October last year, he has always maintained that the Liverpool team is a work in progress. Not to appease other sections of the footballing world, but because that phrase actually embodies pretty much his entire footballing philosophy – “work” and “progress”.
It has been a clean slate for everyone associated with Liverpool football club since Brendan Rodgers was discharged of his duties as manager, and it was widely agreed that Klopp was the man to take Liverpool back to the top. There is also a growing sense, that by the time Klopp is done with Liverpool (many years beyond the six-year contract that he has just recently signed), irksomeness will be widely replaced by admiration for football fans in other colours.
The Klopp Effect
His first season in charge of Liverpool is proof of the change that he has brought. Within months of taking over a team that Brendan Rodgers said would take some time to get the best out of, Klopp took Liverpool to a European final and the Capital One Cup final.
The same team staged a dramatic comeback win against Borussia Dortmund at Anfield to put the reds into the semi-final of the Europa League, and has lost only two out of 13 matches played against Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal (one being a loss on penalties in the final of the Capital One Cup). The big match mentality is back, and the team’s charismatic German manager is on a mission to change the atmosphere of the club and the supporters from “doubters to believers”.
And yet, there are some problems that still persist. Inconsistency – their old foe, has reared its ugly head from time to time, most recently in a 2-0 loss to newly promoted side Burnley, where Liverpool enjoyed over 80% possession but failed to find that cutting edge.
One then thinks when the Reds could really be judged by the high standards that the big sides – City, Arsenal, Chelsea – are judged by, or whether they are still allowed the leniency that a team in progress is afforded.
But what has definitely changed is approach and attitude. When Brendan Rodgers was made manager of Liverpool, his first act was to re-install the old “This Is Anfield” sign that adorned the wall above the steps leading out on to the pitch, and replace the normal white nets behind the goalposts with red coloured ones.
Both were symbols of Liverpool’s success in the 70’s and 80’s, and while Rodger’s decision which was an obvious invocation of Liverpool’s glorious past did sit well with supporters at the time, it was yet another example of how the club continued to define its current identity with the past.
Klopp’s pragmatic ways
In stark contrast, Klopp wasted no time in tokenism. Instead, his changes were more pragmatic, practical and hands-on in nature. Players’ entourages were banned from Liverpool’s training facility, Melwood, and training time was re-adjusted to make sure it was the same as when the club would be playing matches in the Premier League.
Double, and even triple training sessions were held at times during the recently concluded pre-season, and talks are now on to merge Liverpool’s training ground and academy to one common site, fostering the spirit of unity within the club.
The results might have not gone Klopp’s way all the time, especially against some of the lesser teams, but Liverpool is already looking like a different club nearing eleven months to the day that he was appointed manager.
Even Anfield’s slumberous atmosphere during Brendan Rodgers’ last few matches in charge has changed, and with the Reds set to face Leicester City in what will be their first home game of the season, the newly constructed main stand is sure to contribute to an even better atmosphere inside one of world football’s cathedrals.
Fan power
In fact, Klopp is a great advocate of the power that fans sitting in the stands can have on the players on the pitch. After a loss to Crystal Palace in the early stages of his managerial tenure, he spoke of how he felt “alone” when he saw fans leaving even before the final whistle was blown.
Supporters took the hint, raised the decibel levels, and have thus seen Liverpool score over 7 goals after the 85th minute since then; a feature rarely seen under Brendan Rodgers.
Aside from being a great tactician with his style of ‘Gegenpressing’ suiting Liverpool to the T, Klopp brings with him great man management skills. By entrusting his players with faith and confidence, the likes of Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Roberto Firmino and Divock Origi have finally been able to show supporters the form which led to the club putting in a bid for them in the first place.
With 4 points from 3 matches played in the season so far, Liverpool’s fate is in their own hands. They still have some defensive issues that need sorting out and title talk could still be a season too early, but the club certainly has a bright future ahead with Jurgen Klopp at the helm.
Like he himself said, “I would like to celebrate something each season over the next six years. Not the small thing, really celebrate something – driving on the big bus through Liverpool. That would be nice. I’ve said it before, but it is not important what people think when you come, it is important what they think when you leave. That is when you need to be judged.”
