Jurgen Klopp the new king of the Kop already seems to have the belief of everybody at Liverpool
When I heard Jurgen Klopp was heading for Anfield, I just held my head in my hands and thought why Liverpool? The German had a host of clubs to pick from and he chooses the ailing Merseyside giants.
I have always held the former-Dortmund boss in high esteem and seen him as some of a visionary when it comes to his teams style of play, so for him to turn up at Liverpool was very disappointing to me, as a fan of the club from across Stanley Park that is.
The Reds are unbeaten under Klopp so far and there are already signs that his team are moving in the right direction, much to my chagrin.
Liverpool host Crystal Palace later today looking to keep that good start under the German going and jump up the Premier League table.
Right man for the job
Never has a man fitted the bill better than Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. In the past Liverpool teams have played breath-taking football, which has both enthralled and entertained their fans.
The 48-year-old arrived on Merseyside with a reputation for ‘heavy metal’ football at his previous clubs, which will be greatly appreciated by the Anfield faithful.
His teams like to pass the ball, score goals and most importantly for Reds fans entertain, because football should be about scoring after all shouldn’t it?
Klopp has always come across as a guy with a big personality and charisma, but unlike other esteemed colleagues does seem to have a touch of humility. He does not talk himself up, but is confident in his ability to create winning and attacking teams.
The German is a passionate guy, who wears his heart on his sleeve and is a man for the big quote as well. He is already being rather prematurely compared to one of Liverpool’s greatest managers Bill Shankly by some on Merseyside, big praise indeed.
It has been stated in the past by former-players and people who know the man that it is his passion for football that made him success at Mainz and Dortmund.
Klopp came into Dortmund when they were at a similar low-ebb and turned BVB into a powerhouse of German football, not to mention achieving impressive results in the Champions League.
Just like BVB, Liverpool is a club who have arguably under-achieved in a league where their rivals have dominated the title races. If Klopp can achieve anywhere near the success he did at Dortmund on Merseyside, then I am sure Reds fans will be happy with his performance.
A case for the defence
When people talk about Jurgen Klopp teams, they talk about high-energy, high pressing and tempo, but what has been a striking aspect of Klopp’s reign at Liverpool so far have been the team’s defensive performances.
The Reds did not have a terrible defensive record under Brendan Rodgers, but poor tactics and defending cost them the Premier League title in season 2013/14.
The team’s gung-ho style of football saw Liverpool throw caution to the wind and resulted in some fantastic attacking displays. Unfortunately while the likes of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling were doing the business at one end of the field the defence went AWOL.
Something tells me things will be different under Klopp. His best Dortmund teams were built on solid defences. The attacking players had faith in their defensive backline and Klopp in his short time at Liverpool looks to have been working on that side of his team’s game already.
Rewriting history at Anfield
For too long Liverpool have been a sleeping giant of the English game. They were ridiculed by Mancunians, as the two teams from up the M52 dominated Premier League title races. Rodgers came close to pulling off a piece of history in that aforementioned season 2013/14, but just fell short.
The Premier League crown has eluded Liverpool for far too long, but in Klopp the Reds have a boss who is well capable of bringing the club success. Everybody seems to believe in the German and that is vital.
Rodgers talked too much, often on issues that did not really matter and in the end was not quite ready to lead that title charge. Jurgen Klopp is a completely different animal. He is reassured and has made a steady, if not spectacular, start to life on Merseyside.
Every fan of the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea (ok maybe not this season) should be scared of the German, as he is the man with the potential to rewrite Premier league history on Merseyside and help the Reds wake-up from that very long slumber that has lasted more than 20 years.
Liverpool are obviously a work in progress and it is early days under Klopp, but everyone on Merseyside can sense that there is a new found confidence at Liverpool, which could be scary for the rest of the Premier League in years to come.
Will Jurgen Klopp bring the Premier League title to Liverpool?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
