5 best players to have played under Jurgen Klopp

Virgil van Dijk and Robert Lewandowski
Virgil van Dijk and Robert Lewandowski

#3 Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool v Shrewsbury Town: The Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Liverpool v Shrewsbury Town: The Emirates FA Cup Third Round

Jurgen Klopp is often praised for his hard-metal football and the ability to bring out the best in his attacking players. With Virgil van Dijk, he has proved that his skillset is not limited to forwards alone.

Since the Netherland international’s transfer from Southampton in January 2018, he has played every important match under Klopp when fit. He was a key performer for the Reds in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 campaigns and helped them to the Champions League and Premier League titles, respectively.

Van Dijk missed a lot of football last season following his cruciate ligament rupture. Thankfully, he has regained his fitness this season and is expected to play a big role in Liverpool’s Champions League and Premier League title challenges.


#2 Mohamed Salah

Atalanta BC v Liverpool FC: Group D - UEFA Champions League
Atalanta BC v Liverpool FC: Group D - UEFA Champions League

Since his transfer to Liverpool in the 2017-18 season, Salah has been one of the first names on Jurgen Klopp’s team-sheet.

The former AS Roma forward possesses exceptional ball control, finesse and lightning quick acceleration, making him the perfect forward for the German’s system.

Salah, who was already an exceptional player at Roma, has unlocked his maximum potential under the former Borussia Dortmund coach. He has worked particularly hard on his finishing skills and is rarely burdened with defensive responsibilities.

The Egypt international has netted 111 times and provided 48 assists in the Premier League under Klopp, successfully emerging as the club’s primary goalscorer.

With Salah, Klopp has struck the perfect balance between efficiency and productivity, which is made evident by the trophies they have won together.

The duo have already won one Premier League, a Champions League, one FIFA World Cup, and a UEFA Supercup. Expect them to add plenty more in the years to come.


#1 Robert Lewandowski

FC Bayern München v RB Leipzig - Bundesliga
FC Bayern München v RB Leipzig - Bundesliga

Current FIFA Best Men’s Footballer in the world, Robert Lewandowski, enjoyed a fruitful spell under Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund. The duo worked together for four seasons between 2010 and 2014, winning two Bundesliga titles, one DFB Pokal and one German Supercup.

Under Klopp, the Poland international learned how to become the perfect centre-forward, which eventually paved the way for his exploits at Bayern.

In his debut season under the German manager, the Pole only scored eight goals in 33 Bundesliga appearances. Dortmund won the Bundesliga at the end of the season, but Lewandowski did not necessarily play a starring role.

The following season, the striker became his team’s primary goal-getter and fired them to the Bundesliga title with 22 goals and 10 assists.

Lewandowski’s most notable performance under Klopp came in the first leg of Dortmund’s Champions League semi-final clash with Real Madrid.

The Polish ace scored four times in the first leg to beat Real Madrid and take his side to the Champions League final.

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Edited by Samya Majumdar
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