Home of football statistics and historyJurgen Klopp’s revolution at Liverpool is going strong after clinching his first trophy in their sixth UEFA Champions League win earlier in May.
However, with a perfect start to their Premier League season, the Reds are now in pole position to end their league curse and finally lift the trophy next year.
Of course, it’s still a lengthy process and Klopp himself is not getting excited about anything, but this team he’s built from scratch is all due to clever scouting and impressive recruitment.
Nearly every player in the regular line-up is recruited after the German took over, proving his bright eye for noticing talent all around Europe. Liverpool`s player salaries have ballooned but unlike most of their big-spending league rivals, they’ve got progress on the pitch to show for it.
The summer of 2016 was the German’s first proper opportunity to recruit and he didn’t disappointing, roping in Sadio Mane, Gini Wijnaldum and Joel Matip. The fact that the latter was signed on a free makes the trade even sweeter.
Fast-forward three years and these three have become crucial cogs in Liverpool’s system. Mane’s breaking records as he pleases, Wijnaldum is coming up with crucial goals and Matip’s keeping their defensive shape intact.
However, after failing to impress in their first full season, The Reds started hiring the big guns in the 2017 summer transfer window. Mohammed Salah was signed for €42 million, something which seems a bargain now that he’s netted 58 times in 82 league appearances for Liverpool!
While Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s signing from Arsenal was touted a big thing, Andy Robertson’s shrewd acquisition’s proven their best in years. The left-back’s defensive solidity mingled with his feisty attitude going forward has added another dimension to their style.
Virgil Van Dijk was also signed in the 2018 Winter transfer window after failures to sign in 2017, as he immediately solved their defensive problems and has made them an impenetrable force with his excellent work also winning him the UEFA Player of the Year recently.
After losing the UEFA Champions League final last year to Real Madrid, Klopp decided to plug the few holes restricting his side from their utmost potential.
Loris Karius’ horror-show convinced them to spend big on Brazilian goalkeeper Allison, who easily won the Premier League Golden Glove last year.
Fabinho’s signing was another turning point, with the Brazilian providing ample defensive cover with his hard-hitting nature and being quite influential in his deep-lying playmaker role as well.
Even Adrian’s free signing is bringing its boons for Klopp, whose expert recruitment has made Liverpool the fearful entity they are.
By bringing all these players and etching this never-say-die spirit in them has resulted in the Reds playing some amazing attacking football keeping true to Klopp’s “heavy metal” style.
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