The Jurgen Klopp Era is Here
- Oct 12, 2015
- 5 min read
Following Liverpool's disappointing 1-1 draw with Everton in the Merseyside Derby, the axe lingering above head coach Brendan Rodgers finally fell. It was announced via the team's website that Rodgers, coach since June 2012, had his contract immediately terminated and that the search for a new coach was underway. The Liverpool Ownership Group released the following statement:
“Although this has been a difficult decision, we believe it provides us with the best opportunity for success on the pitch. Ambition and winning are at the heart of what we want to bring to Liverpool and we believe this change gives us the best opportunity to deliver it."
Per Transfermarkt, Rodgers was in charge of Liverpool for a total of 166 games, winning 85 of them (good for a 51% win rate) and lead the team to a serious title challenge in just his second season in charge. This was spearheaded by the potent SAS combination; Luis Suarez bagging 31 goals and partner Daniel Sturridge scoring another 21. Without the now infamous slip of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, the story might have had a happy ending for the Northern Irishman.
Unfortunately for Liverpool fans, there has been a rapid decline in performance since that season, which was arguably their best chance to win the league title having not won the domestic league trophy since the 1989/90 season. Following the second place finish, and the departure of Luis Suarez for Barcelona, the team finished sixth on the table. The season was plagued by injuries to Steven Gerrard and towards the end Daniel Sturridge however there were always rumblings of displeasure with Rodgers.
This season started on a brighter note, securing an away win against Stoke and outplaying Arsenal at The Emirates Stadium, albeit in a goalless draw. The season then took a turn for the worse when West Ham put three goals past Simon Mignolet. The win for the Hammers marked the first time they had won at Anfield since 1964. Unrest amogst the fans was growing to be less than desirable and there was only ever one outcome following such an abysmal start to the new year. With Rodgers officially saying farewell on October 5th, the search for a new manager began.
“I have worked every day to represent the club to the best of my ability, to develop both individual players and a team that the club’s magnificent fans can be proud of. There have been some very memorable moments during my time at Liverpool and I would like to thank all of the players for their hard work and commitment. The current squad is one in transition, but they have some real talent and are showing a strong sense of togetherness. I expect to see them continue to grow and develop over the coming weeks and I wish them and my successor well for the rest of the season."
With the end of the Rodgers era, a new one is set to begin as it was announced only three days later that former Borussia Dortmund manager, Jurgen Klopp, would be taking on the vacant managerial position for Liverpool.
The 48-year old German won two Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund while also taking home three German Super Cup trophies between his appointment in 2008 and departure seven years later. After spending £76.5m this offseason, Klopp has a very talented (and expensive) group of players to work with.
“I am very excited by the challenge we face and eager to start the job and begin implementing our ideas and ways of working with this team. This is a talented group of players and there is still much to compete for this season."
One of the most pragmatic managers of recent history, Klopp has already suggested that he's going to target Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich after both enjoyed success working together at Dortmund. The Polish international is in remarkable goal-scoring form, netting 15 times in the past six games alone.
"The biggest satisfaction you can get is when you take a player from Poland, from a small club and watch him play like he does today. The difference between that player we signed and the player he is today is unbelievable."
Having already annointed himself as "The Normal One", Klopp has endeared himself with The Kop, citing that the fans of Anfield were a big reason for him signing. Christian Heidel, the director who gave Klopp his first coaching position at Mainz in Germany, said that he will thrive on the emotion of Anfield.
"If you’ve coached in Mainz before, then in Dortmund, then maybe Liverpool is the only club left to coach! Many, many great emotions – that’s what Kloppo needs and I think that is part of the reason he chose to go there."
In what was the first of probably many conspicuous acts, Klopp cancelled the team's allocated day off, calling in all players who weren't on international duty including Daniel Sturridge and Phillipe Coutinho. His first game in charge is against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, a ground where Liverpool won convincingly last time the two sides met.
Only time will tell if the German can turn around the fortunes of the club. Currently sitting mid-table after an ambivalent start to the Premier League, Klopp has more than a few issues that will need to be addressed.
The malfunctioning Liverpool defence should be one of his first priorities, having already conceded ten goals in only eight games. That's already one-fifth of the total goals conceded in the 2013/14 season where they finished second to Manchester City. If Klopp is to enjoy any success as manager, the defence must work together like a well oiled machine.
Their season so far is perhaps best encapsulated in the game against Aston Villa, a 3-2 win at home just before the international break. Some phenomenal dribbling and movement from Phillipe Coutinho set up the goals for Liverpool, only for Villa to be let back into the game by some poor marking and defensive positioning. In a cruelly ironic twist of fate, Rodgers is now rumoured to be replacing the incumbent Tim Sherwood after Villa's poor start to the season sees them sitting in eighteenth and with only four points.
Sitting mid-table accurately portrays how Liverpool have been playing; only just well enough to get by without being fantastic. With Klopp at the helm, fans will be hoping to see their season turn around and still contend for a Europa League place.
While there is still plenty of work to be done, Liverpool face Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and Swansea all before the end of November. It will be a time of turbulence and uncertainty but here's hoping that Klopp is the right man to return Liverpool to former glory.
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