Jurgen Klopp took over from recently appointed Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers midway through the 2015/16 Premier League season and has already begun his work on reshaping the squad and Liverpool's style of play on the whole.
His 'gegenpressing' or high pressing philosophy has given Liverpool a real spark while carrying the ball forward and play with more intent and have been an absolute joy to watch with their free-flowing style of football. What's even better is the fact that players now seem to be repaying the faith that Klopp has entrusted them with.
Players such as Dejan Lovren who were written off as 'flop' signings and were tipped to be sold immediately have undergone a transformation to go on and contribute with their best performances in a Liverpool shirt.
Look no further than the historic comeback against Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League. Klopp's methods have been accepted by the players and staff alike to great effect. There is, apart from all these changes, something more that Klopp brings to the table – his expertise in the transfer market.
Transfer market issues for Liverpool
One of Liverpool’s biggest weaknesses off the pitch has been to successfully operate in the transfer market. More importantly, making signings that would be able to immediately fit into their style of play.
Christian Benteke’s arrival at Anfield for a reported £32.5 million, for example, was a signing that baffled many and has had a horrendous debut season. Someone who relied heavily on crosses being floated into the box, he was a square peg in a round hole at a club who heavily relied on build up play.
With Jurgen Klopp at the helm, they have a man who not only is someone who can be trusted with a club’s riches in the transfer market, but can also make signings who will contribute directly to his philosophy.
4 years ago, Jurgen Klopp masterminded a 4-1 semi final victory against Real Madrid at the Signal Iduna Park, effectively ending their charge for La Decima. Robert Lewandowski created history in the process becoming the first player to score 4 goals against Real in a single game. Although they eventually lost 2-1 to German counterparts Bayern Munich to a decisive Arjen Robben strike, Borussia Dortmund's road to the finals of the Champions League was a spectacle to behold.
Klopp’s brilliance during his time at Dortmund can be encapsulated by this one statistic - the XI players fielded by Klopp that took apart Mourinho's Real Madrid cost a combined total of less than £30 million.
And 6 of those players - Hummels, Subotic, Piszczek, Gundogan, Reus, and 4-goal hero Lewandowski - were brought into the club by Klopp in his first summer as BVB manager. This one statistic serves as all the evidence that Liverpool need for Jurgen Klopp's prowess in the transfer market.
Shrewd transfer dealings by the German manager at Liverpool
The Merseyside club are already off to a decent start in their first summer under the German boss, typing up deals for Marko Grujic, Joel Matip and Loris Karius all for under £10 million. Karius, their most recent addition is expected to take over as Liverpool’s first choice keeper from Mingolet after his spectacular season for Klopp’s old club, Mainz. Statistics alone are sufficient to highlight the contrasting seasons that the former Sunderland keeper and the former Mainz man have had.
Karius has amassed a massive 74% save success rate as supposed to Mingolet’s 63% and has been one of the Bundesliga’s most impressive performers this term. Mingolet has made 4 errors directly leading to a goal being conceded, and Karius, on the other hand, has had a spotless record in this aspect. All in all, this considerably major upgrade for the Reds was purchased for an absolute bargain at £4.7 million.
Joel Matip, another highly coveted centre-back who was once linked with German champions Bayern Munich is arriving at Anfield on a free transfer. Standing at 6’5”, Matip is a player who is capable of playing at centre-half and in a holding role will help cure Liverpool’s set-piece woes.
No team in the Premier League has conceded more goals from corners than Liverpool this season. A centre-back of his ability both on the ball and in the air on a free transfer is more than just a bargain.
As observed during his time at BVB, Klopp is excellent at bringing up young talents and integrating them into the first team. Players like Subotic and Hummels were teenagers when they were brought to the Signal Iduna Park and have become key cogs over the years for both Klopp and present Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel.
Similarly, Marko Grujic can also prove to be a bargain for the Reds. The Red Star Belgrade youngster was signed for a reported fee of £5.1 million and has had an excellent season with his childhood club, as the Serbian finished the season with 6 goals, 7 assists and was a part of the SuperLiga Team of the Year for his contributions.
Things are starting to look more than positive for Liverpool under Klopp, who has effortlessly won over the crowd at Anfield with his eccentric personality and letting his team express themselves on the pitch. And with a whole summer to look forward to under a man who has had an exemplary record in the transfer market, the red half of Merseyside will be a force to be reckoned with next season.
