It has been a year since Jurgen Klopp took over the reins as the manager of Liverpool Football Club. Since then he has provided plenty of joyous moments for the Anfield faithful. On the eve of his one-year anniversary, we take a look at his best 5 victories as Liverpool manager.
Picking the best one was easy but picking the other four was not easy, as Klopp and his men have had quite a few big wins against some of their big rivals.
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#5 Liverpool 3-0 Villareal – Europa League Semi-finals 2nd Leg
90 minutes into the first leg of the semis against Villareal, it looked as if Liverpool had put in a perfect away performance but silly defending in the last minute of stoppage time resulted in a 1-0 lead for Villareal.
This is what Liverpool coach Pep Ljinders said recently about Klopp, “The players and staff were really down and surprised.The moment Jurgen came back in the dressing room (after the loss in Villareal) he changed everything in five minutes. We could leave the stadium knowing we were going to attack them at Anfield like they had never been attacked before.”
And Liverpool precisely did just that. It took Liverpool just 7 minutes in the second leg to erase their deficit from the first leg through Bruno’s own goal after a brilliant attacking move initiated by Emre Can, who made a surprisingly quick return from his injury sustained in the quarter-finals.
Sturridge’s goal in the 63rd minute put Liverpool in front for the first time in the tie. A few minutes later Lallana tapped in Sturridge’s mistimed shot after some brilliant work by Firmino on the left.
Firmino who was the third most expensive signing in Liverpool’s history, once again proved his worth. This paved the way for Liverpool to their 1st European final in 9 years.
#4 Chelsea 1-3 Liverpool – English Premier League
Jurgen Klopp’s first Premier League victory came against Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, against whom his predecessor Brendan Rodgers, did not have a great record. Liverpool were forced to play with Firmino up front due to injuries to their front line strikers.
Liverpool were off to the worst possible start as Chelsea were 1-0 up in 4 minutes at the Bridge through a Ramires’ header after some poor marking from Moreno. The man for the big occasion, Philippe Coutinho, equalised with a spectacular strike late into first-half stoppage time with his weaker foot.
After conceding the first goal Liverpool’s defence looked much better and Hazard, who was anonymous on the day, had to be subbed off before the hour mark. Coutinho put Liverpool in front in the 74th minute after his shot deflected off Terry into the net. 9 minutes later, Benteke who came on in the second half, scored to put the game to bed.
Klopp’s first PL victory against the then defending champions, whose torrid start to the season continued.
#3 Manchester City 1-4 Liverpool – English Premier League
This was Klopp’s biggest test till date. After losing 1-2 to Crystal Palace at home, Klopp’s men bounced back in style. When the boys from Brazil, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino are on song, there is absolutely nothing that can stop Klopp’s men.
Liverpool took the lead in the 7th minute through a Mangala own goal after Coutinho cleverly pinched the ball from Sagna. Firmino powered his way past Demichelis brilliantly and produced a pinpoint pass to Coutinho, who tapped the ball into the net to double Liverpool’s lead.
A few minutes later it was Coutinho who returned the favour to Firmino this time, after a brilliant backheel pass from Emre Can set Coutinho free. Roberto Firmino, who was termed as a ‘flop’ by the English media then, finally scored for Liverpool after his £29m switch from Hoffenheim.
Aguero, who came back into the City side after missing 7 games due to injury, pulled one back just before half-time to give City a slight sniff. Again in the second half, City looked completely clueless against Klopp’s high pressing tactics.
Liverpool missed a host of chances before Skrtel, who has a good goal scoring record against Manchester City, burried the ball into the City net to make it 4-1 to Liverpool and confirm Liverpool’s victory.
The travelling scousers had their fair share of fun with the chant “Sterling, Sterling what’s the score?” being sung towards the end of the game.
#2 Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United – Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg
Surprisingly, this was the first time the two most decorated clubs in English football history were drawn against each other in a European competition. This game offered Liverpool a chance to avenge United’s double in the league over them. Liverpool were up for it from the word go.
The rapturous welcome the team bus got before entering Anfield was a signal of things to come. Even then Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal could not stop himself from praising the Anfield atmosphere.
The visitors had absolutely no answer to Liverpool’s pressing. Sturridge put Liverpool in front through a penalty won after Memphis’ silly challenge on Clyne. It looked as if De Gea, who had a terrific game, wouldn’t let Liverpool double their lead but Firmino precisely did that in the 73rd minute with a neat finish after Lallana laid the ball off to him after a bad clearance from Carrick.
Van Gaal’s switch from 4 at the back to 3 paid no dividends.
This was Klopp’s biggest victory till date. Liverpool outplayed Manchester United in every department and the scoreline could have been 5-0 or 6-0 but for De Gea. This was a game that showed Liverpool and Manchester United were heading in the opposite directions under their respective managers.
It seemed as if only one team knew the importance of this fixture.
#1 Liverpool 4-3 Borussia Dortmund – Europa League Quarter-finals 2nd Leg
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals at Westfalenstadion, it looked as if Liverpool had a slight advantage going into the second leg. But 9 minutes into the second leg, everything fell apart, Dortmund were 3-1 up on aggregate after goals from Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang.
Liverpool have scripted some of the greatest comebacks European football has ever seen and Liverpool needed to do it once more. Liverpool had to do what they had done to Olympiacos and AC Milan in the past.
Liverpool pulled one back early in on the second half through Divock Origi after some brilliant one touch football. The Kop was starting to believe again. But Reus' goal in the 57th minute seemed to have sealed it for Dortmund.
Coutinho once again produced a brilliant finish from just outside the box to restore hope. Anfield believed again. From then on, one witnessed an incredible atmosphere, which Klopp recently described as the "best atmosphere he has ever witnessed."
Sakho headed in from point blank range in the 77th minute and after that, one could sense a winner. After receiving a clever nutmeg pass from Sturridge, Milner crossed it to the back post as Lovren headed it into the Dortmund net at the Kop End.
Yes, Liverpool did not have Steven Gerrard, but Liverpool had Klopp and a spirited team to overcome Dortmund. The player’s effort with the Kop's never say die attitude ensured Liverpool reached the semi finals.
Liverpool may have not won the Europa League but this game did show that the ‘Klopp Revolution’ had started at Anfield.
