The only thing that is good about hindsight is the fact that it is already over! Is it safe to assume that the dark clouds over Anfield Road have drifted away?
Turn the clock back by about eight years when things were not so bright. Liverpool had owners who dug a grave and slowly lowered our coffin into the ground.
The club lost one of its most successful managers and a number of exceptionally talented players and ran up a debt as high as the Himalayas.
During our dark days, the Manchester Uniteds and Manchester Citys of the league were fighting for titles and trophies, Arsenal were consistently getting fourth place and Chelsea were in the top four with a title or two.
And where were we? We were hoping against odds that we show some strong performances and string three wins together, only to lose the fourth game to a team with the meagre hope of staying alive in the league.
It was our White Knight ‘Fenway Sports Group’ that saved us from misery and plight. Other than giving us financial stability during a period where our rivals had buckets of money, stronger teams and let’s face it, larger ambitions, they also invested money in the expansion of Anfield.
Roy Hodgson came and went, King Kenny graced the touchline once again and then happened Brendan Rodgers. Many disliked the Irishman, but I was a fan of his technical ability, not so much of his man management skills.
Reign of Brendan Rodgers – switching between bravado and limpidness
Season after season we showed downright mediocrity. With every negative result Manchester United fans gloated in our faces, mocking and laughing at us. (Psst, how does it feel now guys?), something we Reds were not used to.
Except for the one season under Brendan Rodgers where we finished second. Oh boy, what a season that was! Things were still in turmoil.
Players were not attracted to us, we were not splashing money the way our rivals were. The pieces of the puzzle just were not fitting.
After the 2013-14 season we believed that the dark clouds had finally passed and it was time for the sun to shine on Anfield.
But no, we lost three of our most important players in the form of Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling.
The one loss that hurt more than the rest was parting with the club Captain, SG8! His song still reverberates around Anfield.
Things were back to mediocre and not looking so great. We finished sixth and eighth in the subsequent seasons. The dismal performances saw Rodgers’ reign come to a grinding halt.
Enter our Messiah – Jurgen Klopp
October 8, 2015 Klopp signed a three year deal to manage Liverpool. Everyone was buzzing. The fans knew that this coupe finally meant that a ‘big’ manager who has excelled with Borussia Dortmund can salvage the pieces of this sinking ship.
He brings passion to the pitch, sending shivers down the spine of the opponents with his touch-line shenanigans. His hugs are known to put on a smile on the grimmest of faces. (Jose Mourinho could do with one of them just about now!)
He brings alive the inner swagger in the players. At the same time he is a no-nonsense manager. If you do not believe me ask Mamadou Sakho himself.
His reign began in fine fashion, a 0–0 away draw against Tottenham Hotspur. Followed by his first win as manager beating Bournemouth in the League Cup to progress to the quarter-finals.
His first Premier League win came a few days after, away from home in a 3–1 win at Stamford Bridge. He even got Christian Benteke to score!
Things were looking on the up. We hammered Manchester City 4-1, then we blew Manchester United away in the Europa League quarter-finals. Followed by a blistering game that saw us come from behind to beat his former club Dortmund.
Klopp lead us to two cup finals in less than six months at the club. He ignited a fire, a desire, a hunger within the players to give it their all.
Agreed that last season ended drab, with no European leagues to participate in, however the last time that happened we finished second. Well, the last six months of the season that just concluded was just a trailer of what we can expect.
The new season started with a grilling pre-season a few amazing acquisitions in the form of Sadio Mane, Joel Matip, Loris Karius and a few others. The window saw us let go of a lot of players and send quite a few on loan too. But we know all of that already don’t we!
The fans and the team feel like a large happy family. Most importantly, there is some direction.
Our Captain, Jordan Henderson is drastically improving. Dejan Lovern who had a dismal season two years ago has turned his career around. Adam Lallana has become a linchpin in our attacking moves.
We are set-up to do well under our no-nonsense manager. One who believes in fixing issues with long term solutions rather than quick fixes, like a 120 million spend.
A manager who treats players like his very own rather than bad-mouthing them publicly. One who backs his players in the dark times and gives them bear hugs unlike some who may want to snap fingers to get their players to perform!
This season has started with a lot of resemblance to the 2013-14 season. 10 points from 5 games, no European distractions, a team playing with a spark, a locker-room brethren, that many are jealous.
Liverpool have created more chances than any team has so far in the season. Yes I am aware that we are six five games in, but it still clearly embraces the fact that we have improved.
Liverpool have completed more passes than any other team, 3,625 to be precise. And not to forget, Henderson, that strike against Chelsea, something dreams are made of.
He has also been working his socks off. He has made 26 tackles (second in the league so far), 499 passes (league high). He is finally showing signs of filling the boots once worn by someone who stood 6 feet tall and hard, shot the ball in from 40 yard, Steve Gerrard, Gerrard!
With 32 games to go, 17 of which will be at home. With us having played three of the top teams away bagging seven of nine available points, beating the champions, there is a feverish expectation among the fans.
The frenzy is back, Anfield is as noisy as ever, if things go on the way they are one thing I can say for certain is that Bill Shankly would be proud!
Klopp for the Kop! YNWA!
Zubin Daver
Roar Pro
James Milner may not be a world class LB, and yes has played most of his football in midfield, however when you look at his work rate, his ability to get the ball into the box as well as being the designated penalty taker, he makes up for it and has a very important role to play in the team. He has mentioned that LB is not his preferred position but has also said that he is ready to do whatever the team needs him to. Burnley was overall a very bad game where we had much of the ball with no end product. However, compared to what we have in Moreno, Milner is an upgrade and as I mentioned earlier, with Gomez coming back in a couple of months, we will have one proper LB in the mix. The only silly goal we conceded was the one to Spurs, and maybe the one Ox scored in the opening game. But as for clean sheets, this entire season in the first 6 game weeks, there have been just a total of 25 clean sheets in 60 games played. To win a game you need to out score your opponents, and this season seems to be one which will be a high scoring one rather than one which will be won with the odd single goal.
danwain
Guest
I think you can definitely say that Milner is a makeshift left back, compare him to the other "contenders" and you will see he is just there because they simply have no one else to fill in. Would he start if Bellerin, Shaw, Sagna etc was there? He has played his career in midfield, be that in the centre or on the flanks, and has even stated that he does not want to play left back. Im referring to the fact they have not kept one clean sheet all season, and a lot of these goals have come in comical circumstances. There will be games where Liverpool won't be able to score for whatever reason, such as Burnley, and you have to rely on your defence to get something out of the game, you would have little confidence that Liverpool will be able to do that, they are too shaky. They are behind Arsenal in goal difference, which shows why its important to keep clean sheets. Liverpool have started really well, they are playing exciting attacking football, but the hyperbole that gets thrown around is unwarranted. They met Arsenal at the best possible time, when they had No Ozil, Rob Holding & Chambers in defence, and still just managed to get over the line after letting Arsenal back in it, the result against Chelsea doesn't look so great after Arsenal tore them to shreds. The draw with Spurs was a good result, but should have been a win after they dominated the game but (surprise surprise) conceded a silly goal.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Hi danwain, Is Milner really makeshift when he's always been able to play left back - it's not his preferred position, but he's always had spells at left back at all his clubs. He may just be working on this position more as a way of remaining in the team as a first-choice player. When you say the defence is "one moment away from calamity", are you referring to the Rodgers era, or on the six conceded in the first two games this season? Since then, Liverpool have conceded four in four games. Not great, but not awful either. In such a tight league where points will be dropped across the board, even by City, Liverpool have started very well. They have also negotiated a tricky start, with three away trips to London in the first six weeks. I don't know if anyone can categorically state that Liverpool can win the title, but neither can they confidently state that Liverpool aren't out of calculations either.
Zubin Daver
Roar Pro
Did not mention winning the title at all. But if we manage to keep putting in the work rate the team currently is, it'll help us push into the top four. As per the makeshift LB, Joe Gomez will soon be fit, expect him to slot in there. One other thing which LFC missed for years was squad depth, the fact that players like Emre Can, Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi etc are on the bench means that we have a squad that, if not for the title, (given the way Manchester City has started the season) can surely fight for a top four finish. Do not forget, we have no continental football commitments this season which other big clubs around us do, the last time that happened was in 2013/14 and we finished second that season.
Zubin Daver
Roar Pro
The addition of Sadio Mane has been key. His pace and eye for goal is super. The best from Georginio Wijnaldum is yet to be seen, while Adam Lallana has turned his career around. As lovely as the goal was, we should wait to compare him to SG8, but yes he is consistently improving. Still shaky about the defending though. Needs to get sharper and tighter.
danwain
Guest
Come on mate, you don't really believe you can win anything with a makeshift left back and a defence that is one moment away from calamity at any stage?
Lionheart
Guest
Can't work out if it's just Klopp, or his offsiders too, who seem equally full of character. He's bought in some nice new players and he's bringing out the best in the established ones. That goal from Henderson last week was reminiscent of Gerrard's hey days.
Zubin Daver
Roar Pro
Well, hopefully those days are behind us Danwain. The way LFC has started the season finishing sixth would really be heartbreaking. Picking up away points off of bigger rivals and playing a gengenpress that is really hard to cope with, Klopp is steadily giving the team a shape that is very hard to contain.
danwain
Guest
Not going too badly for a side that will finish 6th
Zubin Daver
Roar Pro
Hi Midfielder, He is undoubtedly one of the top managers out there. A fervour that is possibly unmatched. The passion for the game that he exudes and his honesty is something that makes him very likable too.
Midfielder
Guest
Great read enjoyed that... thanks for writing it and I Like Klopp he is a tremendous character.