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Undoubtedly one of the world’s most popular and historic clubs, Liverpool FC slowly became a shadow of its glorious best in the 8 years after the 2007 Champions League Final appearance.
Swift changes were necessary.
Considered one of the best managers in Europe, Jürgen Klopp joined the Reds in 2015 from German giants Borussia Dortmund, and he was tasked with the huge responsibility of transforming the club into a powerhouse once again. It took some time for Klopp to find the right pieces for his system, and understandably so.
Despite accepting the role two months after the season commenced, Liverpool finished that EPL campaign in eighth but made steady progress by qualifying for Champions League football the following two seasons and finished fourth on both occasions.
Under Klopp, Liverpool finally regained their identity. Up-tempo football along with a high-pressing game to push opponents back as much as possible, set the blueprint for their rise back to the top.
Out went the dead wood such as Alberto Moreno, Daniel Sturridge, and Lucas Leiva to pave the way for an attractive modern brand of footballer that showed energy and intensity all over the pitch.
Daniel Sturridge scores for Liverpool. (Photo: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
The front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mané led the charge by starting the pressing game in the attacking third, while a couple of expensive but spectacular signings in the form of goalkeeper Alisson Becker (£66.8 million) and centre-back Virgil Van Dijk (£75 million) handed Klopp the right ingredients to construct a potential masterpiece.
In the fourth campaign of the Klopp project, Liverpool tallied 97 points, which would have won the league almost every other year if it were not for the brilliance of Manchester City. The Reds would have to wait an extra year until 2020 to lift their first domestic league silverware in 30 years.
Performances in Europe saw them reach three Champions League finals and win the trophy against English rivals Tottenham.
Since Klopp’s arrival, the Merseysiders have won six major honours and proudly established themselves as one of the most dominant clubs over the past decade.
But now, that incredible journey seems like a distant memory.
There has been nothing much to play for these last few months; knocked out of both domestic cups, languishing down in eighth on the EPL table and suffering a recent 5-2 humiliating loss at the hands of Real Madrid at Anfield in the first leg of their Champions League tie. It looks very bleak, to say the least.
Simply put, a spark has been lost in the middle of the park, thanks to players who are ageing or just don’t fit in Klopp’s system.
Due to injuries, club captain and veteran Jordan Henderson has been forced to play more minutes than expected this season. Unfortunately, at 32, he just doesn’t have the legs to move around as he once did.
Spanish maestro Thiago Alcantara can’t provide that dynamism either, and he does not fit the style. Sure, he is unplayable with the ball at his feet and can control the game with his passing and vision, but with that, the intensity factor is lost even more.
A few youngsters have had to step in and prove their worth, which has not been an ideal scenario.
January was Liverpool’s opportunity to bring in a midfielder that they knew full well was required, instead they signed Arthur Melo from Juventus, an acquisition which made no sense considering he is a similar version to Alcantara.
Defensively, it has been a shambles since the opening round against Fulham, struggling to find that right balance and cohesion within the back four that brought Liverpool so much stability and success.
That reliable backbone has now vanished. Van Dijk has not been his usual self, ever since his anterior crucial ligament injury a couple of years ago. Joe Gomez is arguably not at the expected standard required.
Questions around full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold’s position have come under the spotlight more than ever, as his defensive liabilities continue to hinder the side and overshadow his ability in moving forward.
The loss of influential star Mané along with the restricted minutes given to Firmino, has meant that new starters Darwin Nunez and Cody Gapko have found it challenging to dominate. The lack of understanding between the front three is obvious, not only because of the lack of productivity, but also the high press that everyone has associated with the six-time European champions.
Sadio Mane in Senegal colours. (Photo: VI Images via Getty Images)
Where does this leave Jürgen Klopp and is his position untenable?
The 55-year-old is still adamant that he will be the man to lead the club he adores into next season. “I’m now here at Liverpool – I am exactly in the place where I want to be. Yes, I am exactly in the place I want to be,” he said.
Many will argue that Klopp deserves every opportunity to be given time to turn misfortunate around. Some supporters will be bitter if a manager who has brought them so much joy, all of a sudden wants to leave on a sour note and abandon a sinking ship.
The fact of the matter is that Liverpool is in dire need of a rebuild. With that, comes an urgent need for huge sums of money to be splashed during the transfer market, something that the Liverpool owners seem unwilling to do.
After almost eight years at the helm, it’s time for Klopp to surrender the reigns to someone who can provide new ideas. It would be a stretch to say that the coach has lost the dressing room, but all dynasties must come to an end, with the next one involving new personnel on the bench.
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