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Liverpool have had a hugely successful era under Jürgen Klopp. The Reds won their sixth Champions League title and finally ended their three-decade wait for the Premier League.
The Reds gradually went from a team competing in the Europa League to one that lifted the Champions League, and that took some doing.
Unlike most other teams, Liverpool did not build an entire squad using big-name signings. The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Thiago came on later to make the team stronger. But the Reds relied on some solid coaching by the likes of Klopp and assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders.
The current Liverpool team is one of the best in their rich history, so let’s take a look at the five best Liverpool players of the Jürgen Klopp era.
#5 Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane was Jürgen Klopp’s first major signing in the immediate summer since the German joined the club. And the Senegalese international has been a key player since.
Mane has changed his game a fair bit in the last few years and is isn’t just the player who used to run at defenses with his drive and dribbling ability.
The former Southampton man’s passing coupled with his ability to tackle high up the pitch, has been essential under Klopp. Together with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, Mane formed one of the most deadly trios in European football.
Mane has scored an incredible 100 goals in 225 appearances for Liverpool, and even won the Golden Boot award in 2019 for his achievements.
Although he had a difficult 2020-21 season for Liverpool where he looked off-color, he will go down as a legend for his achievements.
#4 Alisson Becker
Many fans and pundits firmly believe Alisson Becker’s arrival is what made Liverpool the complete team that went on to win the Champions League and then the Premier League a year later.
The Brazilian has not only added more assurity at the back, but he is also a pretty vocal player. He often instructs his back line as he has the ability to see the bigger picture.
Getting in behind the Liverpool defense isn’t impossible considering they play high to try and pin the opposition to win the ball high up. That’s where Alisson’s decision making has come into the picture as well.
The Brazilian’s handling and shot-stopping are perhaps the best in the league, and Liverpool did not mind shelling out a record fee at the time for a goalkeeper.
#3 Jordan Henderson
Jordan Henderson is one of the less flashy players in this Liverpool team as the skipper’s tenacity and passing are key to the way Liverpool play.
Henderson is currently the oldest serving player in the current Liverpool squad. He signed for the club a decade ago and has gradually become an integral part of the team under Klopp.
Henderson has perhaps set a new standard in terms of work ethic for midfielders in the Premier League as his relentless pressing has earned him a lot of plaudits.
When Liverpool’s first line of press fails, the midfield trio, led by Henderson, often get the job done. The former Sunderland man’s passing has also improved manifold in recent seasons.
Having led Liverpool to their first Premier League title in three decades, Henderson is already a club legend.
#2 Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool’s most expensive signing, Virgil van Dijk’s inclusion added a lot more rigidity to the Liverpool backline.
The Dutchman’s impressive displays at both ends of the pitch won him the UEFA Men’s player of the year award in 2019.
Van Dijk narrowly finished behind Lionel Messi in the race for the Ballon d’Or in 2019. Had he won, he would have become the first defender since Fabio Cannavaro to lift the prestigious award.
Van Dijk’s presence at the back has added more meanness to the team. But his incredible ability to find his team-mates with one raking diagonal pass is often underappreciated.
Van Dijk’s impact was notably visible in his first full season at the club as Liverpool conceded just 22 league goals in the 2018-19 season. They conceded 33 the following year but still went on to win the league.
#1 Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah’s incredible output despite being a winger still baffles fans as the Egyptian has been one of the most consistent players since signing in 2017.
Salah has won two Golden Boot awards with Liverpool and the Egyptian has been a crucial player for the Reds in their glory days.
When Liverpool signed Salah from AS Roma, there was a lot of skepticism owing to his previous spell in the Premier League with Chelsea.
However, Salah proved the doubters wrong with a record-breaking debut season at the club. The 29-year old 32 goals in 36 games over the 2017-18 season – the most in a 38-game Premier League season.
A lot of Liverpool’s success has been built on Salah as well as Sadio Mane’s impressive goal-scoring and pressing from the front.
