From Doubters to Believers
As Jurgen Klopp completes an year at Liverpool FC, and Liverpool sits at the top of the league for the first time since May, 2014; He finally has my belief at an high. So much so that I am finally writing about LFC, which I have been procrastinating on for over a decade.
Jurgen Klopp, embodies two things which has been a mainstay of my football following life, Liverpool and Germany. Oh boy! He has been a perfect combination at that.
Was a big fan of his at Borussia Dortmund. Which was fighting a great fight and winning many against the giant Death star called Bayern Munchen. I am a big sucker for teams punching above their weight, hell that’s why I fell in love with Liverpool in the first place.
He has had an iconic first year at Liverpool, though we’ve not won any titles it has been one of the most entertaining and fulfilling years of following football.
He has said and done the right things from the very start. Like this! in one of the first interviews after been announced as our gaffer.
“We’ve got to change from doubters to believers”.
Honestly I personally needed this message so so much! For the first time ever I was not even finishing the complete matches out of frustration. The team had me very disillusioned, and now I cannot even remember those times clearly, such has been the transformation.
Winning 3–1 at Stamford Bridge over Chelsea and having a part in getting Mourinho fired, A Statement 4–1 win at Etihad over Manchester City were some of the early bright spots in the tenure which made us believe. Old habits though die hard, the inconsistency showed up against the smaller teams, and the league position was not taking us anywhere.
The play in the cup competitions though was another story. We went all the way to the League Cup final, and stretched the most talented squad in the country in Manchester City to the penalties, before losing that lottery.
Europa League is where the real mark was made by Jurgen. I wanted Liverpool to draw Manchester United in European competition for so long, especially during the great European runs which we made under Rafa Benitez. Nonetheless it was the Europa League Round of 16, 2016, that got two of the iconic clubs and rivals in front of each other in the continental competitions for the first time. Those were some clinical matches, a 2–0 first leg victory at Anfield was followed by a professional 1–1 result at Old Trafford thanks to a Phillipe Coutinho gem and we went through comfortably. It was first time ever that United has lost to English opposition in Europe.
It was the Quarter finals of Europa league which entered the annals of the Anfield’s European folklore. Jurgen Klopp got a quick reunion with his erstwhile Karmabhoomi (land where one works) of Dortmud. After a very competitive performance away which resulted in a vital away goal and 1–1 result, the return leg was all set in Liverpool’s favor at Anfield.
Boy do we like some drama though. Liverpool were 0–2 down in 9 minutes thanks to to some shambolic defending and great finishing from Henrik Mkhitaryan and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. Divock Origi pulled one back right after half-time, but a great assist by Mats Hummles sent Marco Rues clear and he slot home for an insurmountable looking 3–1 lead. What followed later brought the memories of Istanbul flooding back from 11 years ago. Goals from Phillipe Coutinho, Mamadou Sakho and an injury time header by much maligned Dejan Lovren completed a turn around for the ages.
A great semi finals against Villarreal ensured we were back at an European final for the first time since 2007. The first half against Sevilla was great, capped by a great Daniel Sturridge goal. The second half though was a complete implosion. The Spaniards showed why there are the two time defending champions. They hit three unanswered goals in second half to win the finals 3–1.
Two Cup Finals in the sort of first season was indeed a great start. The league form suffered the age old inconsistencies and thankfully it was so bad that we did not even make the Europa League, so Klopp has a chance to imbibe his tactics and philosophy onto the team without the crazy fixture congestion that Thursday night football adds onto the league and two cup competitions that English Football mandates.
The summer of 2016, was very busy. He put his foot down and made the transfers that he wanted. Cleared out the chaff and got in the players that suit his philosophy. Got some great bargains like the free transfer of Joel Matip, cheap transfer fees for players like Loris Karius, who has established himself as the no. 1 goalkeeper within the short few months of this season.
Best piece of business though has been Sadio Mane from Southampton. Don’t know what it is, but over the last few transfer windows Southampton seems to be the favorite shopping place for Liverpool managers. His combination play with the two Brazilian boys of Phillipe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino has been effervescent to say the least.
The 2016–17 season has been a great start. Opening day victory at Emirates over Arsenal encapsulated all the things about Liverpool right now, great offensive and porous defense. It was a crazy 3–4 game, which included a great 19 passes goal and some shambolic defending. That was followed by a shocker of a performance at Burnley which was depressing and resulted in a humiliating 2–0 defeat. This early inconsistencies were taken care of and some good results followed including draw away at Spurs, win at Chelsea. The marked difference was the consistence domination and performances against the lesser teams which usually decides the table positions come the end of the season, so much so that a 6–1 mauling of Watford on 6th of November today has taken Liverpool to the top of the league.
All I want from my sports teams is show me the fight and desire to compete. Sports for me, is the escape for not just the entertainment value but also inspiration and motivation that it provides.
Team giving a good account of itself is all I look for, I know that not every thing can be won. All I want is to be entertained and inspired.
So far Jurgen Klopp has ensured both with his electric smile and bear hugs and rock-star football and personality.
Long May He Be at Liverpool FC. Amen.
p.s. Hoping to get the weekly blog on Liverpool going, this was the article 0 in that thread.
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