Jurgen Klopp’s memorable opening line as Liverpool manager ” I am here to turn doubters into believers” for the most part, has come to fruition. But, there are still some who aren’t convinced by the German manager.
Former Reds’ midfielder, Didi Hamann, has been the latest to raise eyebrows over Klopp and his side.
The German spoke of how the defence has not seen development since Klopp’s arrival, a fair assessment. “ I love the club but I think we are getting fooled if there’s £40m spent on Ox and we’re led to believe nobody out there to improve defence, he posted on Twitter.
In an interview after Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Sevilla, he said:
” I don’t know where this team is going to go.
“It’s going nowhere.”
This damning verdict however, is not a fair assessment for many reasons.
Yes, defensive reinforcements were/and still are imperative, and Klopp should have addressed this. But labelling a team that reached two cup finals in the space of three months of Klopp taking charge, as well as now securing a return to Europe’s elite competition as ‘going nowhere’ is somewhat short of the mark.
From the moment he joined, the entire atmosphere in and around the club changed.
The Reds had got their claws on a top-class manager, who was proven in the Bundesliga.
Fans started to realise that this could be the start of something special.
This was conveyed by the ” We believe” banner with a picture on Klopp’s face imprinted, flailing in the away end at White Hart Lane, in the German’s first game in charge.
Gone were the days of Brendan Rodgers and Roy Hodgson. This was a man who understood what the club meant to the supporters, and what the supporters meant to the club.
This mutual connection was born through his former side, Borussia Dortmund, who like Liverpool; are renowned for their die-hard support- with the Kop and Yellow wall respectively the hubs for never-ending passion. ‘ You’ll never walk alone’ rings around both Anfield and the Westfalenstadion.
It looked to be the perfect replacement for Rodgers, someone who would most certainly fit the bill.
Klopp’s biggest trait is undoubtedly his passion, which transmits to the fans. Zooming down the side-lines and fist pumping mid-air has become a trademark for the animated manager, and it’s this energy, this charisma, this whole image, which attaches him to a city and club oozing endless love for the beautiful game.
It’s not just the fans Klopp has brought together and reinvigorated– just take a look at the squad.
The team spirit is higher than it ever has been, all the squad buy in to Klopp’s enthusiastic style of management- and Hamann himself, should know all about how team spirit and a never say die attitude can go a long way.
Istanbul?…
Heavy metal football has been something else the Reds’ manager has installed in his side. Blowing away opponents in the blink of an eye.
Ruthless, resilient, rampant.
Would a side that is ‘going nowhere’ have humbled Manchester City 4-1 at the Etihad? Or blown away Arsenal 4-0? Would a Liverpool side under Rodgers or Hodgson overturn a two-goal deficit twice in a game to knock a strong Dortmund side out of the Europa League?
Klopp has faced top six opposition 20 times in his Liverpool tenure- losing just twice, with one of those losses coming against City a fortnight ago, not bad for a side that’s supposedly on the downslope.
The Reds have become the team for the big occasion under his management.
There is a real sense of belief with the German in charge- a feeling that anything is possible.
Having not won a piece of silverware since the Carling Cup triumph over Cardiff City on penalties in 2012, Klopp brought the club within touching distance of something they hadn’t won in four years, twice in the space of three months.
Unfortunately, the Reds lost the Capital One Cup on penalties to Man City in 2014, in what was a closely contested game. This was followed up by heartbreak in Basel, as Klopp’s side threw away a one goal lead to lose 3-1 to Sevilla in the Europa League final in May. But, despite falling at the final hurdle- it exemplified significant progress.
Klopp entered the club during a rough period and had to pick up the pieces. The previous season before he joined , the Reds lost the FA Cup Final to Aston Villa, failed to qualify out of the Champions League group stage, and were on the receiving end of a 6-1 drubbing by Stoke City, of all teams- in Steven Gerrard’s final Liverpool game.
A lot of people have compared Rodgers to Klopp, stating there isn’t much of a difference. Yes, Rodgers will always be remembered for the 2013/14 season- a year where faded dreams were reborn, so close to glory. But, with all due respect, the Northern Irishman had a certain Luis Suarez in his side.
How would Klopp fare if he had best striker in the world at the time; if not now too, at his disposal?
The German is still piecing together his blueprint plan. It will be a long road to success to reach the dizzy heights of past times, but don’t doubt the man who is leading the path to the promised land.
Tom Cavilla.
Tom Cavilla 