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Jurgen Klopp is, without a doubt, one of the best coaches in the game at the moment. The German tactician has enjoyed huge success in the last few years with Liverpool.
Known for his ability to motivate and get the best out of his players, Klopp started his managerial career at Mainz 05. In 2008, he moved to Borussia Dortmund, where he led them to their first Bundesliga title in nearly a decade. He won another league title the next season before departing the club in the summer of 2015.
He has been in charge of Liverpool since then. Klopp recently guided the Reds to their sixth Champions League title and first Premier League title in 30 years.
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Jurgen Klopp is not known for spending big in the transfer market
Jurgen Klopp is not known for buying star players, with the German tactician preferring to convert the talent at his disposal into superstars. However, in the last few years Klopp has spent a significant sum of money in the transfer market. So it's fair to say that he knows what he wants, as most of his signings have worked pretty well.
On that note, here's a look at five of the most expensive signings made by Jurgen Klopp, and how they have fared under him.
#5 Diogo Jota - €44.7 million
Jurgen Klopp was in need of a quality back-up for his famed attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. As such, Diogo Jota was signed from Wolves for €44.7 million in the summer of 2020.
The Portugal international's performances, though, were so impressive that he soon started pushing for a place in the starting XI. Despite being hampered by a mid-season injury, Jota still managed 13 goals in 30 appearances for Liverpool in his debut season. With both Mane and Firmino struggling for form last season, Klopp preferred to start Jota in place of them on numerous occasions.
Diogo Jota has started seven of the Reds' nine Premier League games this season, has scoring four goals. The former Wolves man has done more than just add depth to Jurgen Klopp's side. Although his fee was seen as excessive, he has certainly proven to be worth the money.
#4 Fabinho - €45 million
Fabinho was part of the brilliant Monaco side that won Ligue 1 and reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2016-17. Jurgen Klopp decided to bring in the Brazilian to Anfield in the summer of 2018.
Fabinho took time to adapt in England, not making his league debut until October. But since then, the former Real Madrid youngster has been a regular part of the Liverpool side. He has provided a defensive platform to allow the club's attacking talents to flourish.
Intelligent, composed and an underrated passer, Fabinho has strengthened the spine of Jurgen Klopp's side. He played a key role in the club's Champions League and Premier League success.
Last season, the Brazilian was forced to play as a centre-half for much of the campaign, due to injuries to key players. He certainly did an admirable job, proving his worth to the Reds.
So far, Fabinho has made 131 appearances for Liverpool, registering four goals and eight assists. He has certainly proven to be a huge asset for Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, and for €45 million, he has been an absolute steal.
#3 Naby Keita - €60 million
Jurgen Klopp had to wait a long time to land Naby Keita. The midfielder was signed from RB Leipzig in 2017, but had to wait till the next season to make his club debut.
Keita had developed a reputation for being one of the finest midfielders in the Bundesliga. So his arrival was highly anticipated by the Reds faithful. However, his time in the Premier League so far has been frustrating, to say the least.
Despite the success Jurgen Klopp's side has achieved in the last few years, Keita's Liverpool career has proven to be a stop-start one. The midfielder has struggled with injuries, and has missed far too many games since his move to England.
As such, Keita has failed to make more than 25 starts in all competitions in a single campaign. Last season, he played just 522 minutes in the Premier League, with Keita's injuries and poor form forcing Klopp to consider other options.
Keita has shown flashes of brilliance during his time at Anfield. But given his astronomical transfer fee, it's fair to say the move has not been quite as successful yet.
He has shown good form this season, registering three goals and an assist in nine games. Still only 26, Keita has time to turn things around. If he can stay fit and consistent, there's a good chance he could cement a place in Jurgen Klopp's team.
#2 Alisson Becker - €62.5 million
Loris Karius' calamities in the Champions League final in 2018 forced Jurgen Klopp to look for a new number one. That led him to sign Alisson Becker from Roma for a then world-record fee for a goalkeeper. Four years later, the Brazilian has certainly proved to be worth every penny.
Alisson instantly brought an aura to the Reds' backline. His commanding presence helped solidify the spine of a side that would go on to post the best defensive record in the Premier League. Winning the Premier League Golden Glove in his debut season, Alisson kept 27 clean sheets in all competitions. It was his rock-solid presence that helped Jurgen Klopp's side lift the Champions League title that year.
Alisson also formed an excellent understanding with the back four. That allowed the Reds to Premier League success the next campaign.
Like most players in the Liverpool squad, Alisson had a dip in form last season. But it was his late winning header against West Brom that was key in the Reds securing Champions League football.
The Brazilian looks back to his best again this season, having kept five clean sheets in eight league games for Jurgen Klopp's side.
#1 Virgil van Dijk - €84.65 million
Jurgen Klopp had to be patient in his pursuit of Virgil van Dijk, with Southampton having rejected the Reds' approach for the player in the summer of 2017. But Liverpool finally got their man in January 2018 for a club-record €84.65 million, making the Dutchman the most expensive defender in the game.
Many eyebrows were raised at the fee for Van Dijk. But those doubts were soon allayed following a series of outstanding performances by the Dutchman.
The former Celtic man has had a transformative effect on his team's playing style. His arrival brought a new composure and solidity at the back that had been lacking in the early years of Klopp's 'heavy metal football' at Anfield. Van Dijk was key in the Reds reaching the Champions League final that year. He went one better the next year, winning the competition.
The Dutchman helped Liverpool to the best defensive record in the Premier League in the 2018-19 season. That saw him getting named the PFA Player of the Year. He also finished as the runner-up in the 2019 Ballon d'Or race.
Van Dijk continued with his brilliant performances. His leadership and distribution at the back played a key role in Jurgen Klopp's side lifting the Premier League the next campaign.
The 30-year-old's importance was highlighted by the Reds' poor form in the 2020-21 season after he suffered a season-ending knee injury.
With Van Dijk back in action this season, Klopp's side are once again looking like a well-oiled machine. They have had an unbeaten start to their 2021-22 campaign.
