Jurgen Klopp came to Liverpool burdened with hope. Now Klopp manages to realize itself as Liverpool’s way back to the golden era.
Klopp never felt he had become a big figure when he came to Liverpool. When he was haunted by many questions and burdens, Klopp tried not to make many sweet promises.
“Is there anyone in this room who believes I can work miracles? No. I’m just a normal male figure.”
“I am ‘Normal One’ [Jose Mourinho is nicknamed ‘Special One’]. I am an ordinary player, then a manager at a special club, Mainz. Then I had a great opportunity at Dortmund for seven years. Now I am here. I am I hope I enjoy my work, “Klopp said during his first introduction as Liverpool manager in 2015.
Klopp never promised big things in a short amount of time. What Klopp promised was that he would try to present the trophy for Liverpool in a period of four years.
Klopp is not living a life like Mourinho when it comes to Chelsea. At that time Mourinho immediately poured a lot of money and bought up star players.
Klopp has to start the journey when the competition has started and the squad has been arranged. Klopp did not want to promise many words. He only emphasized that Liverpool would have a game full of emotion and passion.
Liverpool when Klopp came was Liverpool in a difficult era. Steven Gerrard, the most respected Liverpool player in world football, is no longer in Liverpool.
They also recently lost Raheem Sterling, who is considered a future star of Liverpool. The Reds at that time was not a big club that had the power to hold players. The Reds are like a club that is only used as a temporary stop without the big intention of players to last forever.
With a fairly ordinary squad, Klopp led Liverpool into two finals, the League Cup and the Europa League despite both failing. The record in this first season raises hopes of seeing Liverpool return.
Klopp and the good team of coaches continue to prove their ability in putting together teams. Potential players are starting to be recruited. Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum were brought in the 2016/2017 season, followed by Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Virgil van Dijk the following season.
The players who came were not the top stars when Liverpool were recruited, but these players were considered to be players who had the potential to melt into the game scheme that Klopp wanted.
Liverpool entered the Champions League final in 2018 but again failed.
These three finals and three failures are a tough test for Liverpool. Liverpool had been under threat of losing many stars especially Salah and Mane who really skyrocketed with Liverpool. The loss of Philippe Coutinho some time before haunted Liverpool. In this difficult situation, Klopp managed to convince his key players that they were on the right path.
At the beginning of the 2018/2019 season, Liverpool brought Naby Keita, Fabinho and Alisson Becker. They closed the gaps that were still seen in previous years.
Klopp’s story of building Liverpool is a story of patience and trust. Liverpool brought Klopp to build a solid team. Forming a solid team certainly takes year after year because improvements continue to be made as weaknesses are still visible.
Liverpool finally won the 2019 Champions League title and are now on the verge of the 2019/2020 English Premier League champions. Seeing how Liverpool play and lead the hunt for the Premier League this season, it seems the Reds can create dominance in the Premier League as their rivals Manchester United have done.
After becoming the Premier League champion this season, a tough challenge for Klopp is to maintain the composition of the championship squad they have.
Klopp has succeeded in bringing Liverpool back into a magnet for star players, unlike the case a few years earlier when the status of ‘European giants’ did not guarantee Liverpool could attract attention.
Klopp managed to create pride in the red uniform in Liverpool players today. That can be a trigger for Liverpool players to continue to remain loyal and try to create a dominating dynasty.
But all of that certainly does not nullify the chances of Liverpool losing star players, including the opportunity for Klopp’s desire to look for new challenges.
Regardless of what will happen after this season, one thing is certain, Klopp has brought Liverpool back to the golden era.
