As Klopp approaches the anniversary of his appointment as Liverpool manager, we’ve run down his five best results to date.
To be fair, the fact that many pummellings, the 5-4 v Norwich and two away wins at Chelsea have missed the cut proves how many exciting wins we’ve had under the German’s guidance.
5) Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United (3-1 on aggregate)
The first time we’d ever met our bitterest rivals in Europe was stoked by aggressive, unsavoury scenes off the pitch, but on it – Jurgen Klopp’s side were terrific. We secured a 2-0 home win (it should have been more), before heading to Old Trafford and picking up a 1-1 draw thanks to a delicious Coutinho goal. Few better feelings than that; and proof yet again that Klopp specialises in a two-legged tie.
4) Liverpool 4-0 Everton
The easiest Merseyside Derby we can remember, by a country mile. Yes, Roberto Martinez’s side were dog awful, but to put on a training exercise at Anfield over the Toffees felt really, really good. It was an absolute stroll in the park. By the end of the game, Klopp was in hysterics as Lucas tried to find the top corner from 35-yards. Imagine being an Everton fan watching that happen?
3) Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool
We’d waited all summer to see Liverpool, having had to suffer with England throughout the Euros. Then on Premier League opening weekend, Klopp’s men went to the notoriously difficult Emirates and bagged four – two of which were Goal of the Season contenders. In many ways, the match encapsulated Klopp’s Liverpool. Scintillatingly brilliant when on-song, but dangerously defensively naive at others. Thankfully, we secured the win which in truth has set the tone for this season.
2) Manchester City 1-4 Liverpool
In many ways, this was the game where Klopp truly arrived. He took his Liverpool side to the Emirates, when City topped the table, and battered them – using the 4-3-3 he’s currently employing. Roberto Firmino scored his first Premier League goal playing as a false-9 and hasn’t looked back since.
1)Liverpool 4-3 Borussia Dortmund (5-4 on aggregate)
There’s just no argument about no.1, is there? 2-0 down after a matter of minutes, Liverpool’s task seemed beyond impossible against a terrific Dortmund outfit. But Klopp channeled the power of Anfield and Liverpool scored four second-half goals to snatch the tie at the death. When Dejan Lovren rose in injury time and bagged in front of the Kop the noise was like nothing we’ve experienced since Luis Garcia’s Champions League ‘scorcher’ v Chelsea! What an evening it was. Hopefully, there’ll be plenty more to come.