Liverpool's amazing transformation under Klopp from dodgy first XI to champions

629     0
German
German's first team in 2015 cost £360m.... now it is worth £746m

JURGEN KLOPP transformed Liverpool into Champions League winners after picking the likes of Lucas Leiva and Alberto Moreno in his first starting line-up.

The German took over in October 2015 with the Reds languishing in 10th place in the Premier League table.

Klopp transformed Liverpool into title winners eiqekidqziqxprw
Klopp transformed Liverpool into title winnersCredit: Getty
Liverpool looked vastly different in October 2015
Liverpool looked vastly different in October 2015
Only three players were still around for Liverpool's Premier League title win
Only three players were still around for Liverpool's Premier League title win

Brendan Rodgers had led Liverpool to a sixth-place finish the season before.

But things were going downhill fast for the Reds, with Rodgers axed after failing to cope without the summer exits of Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling.

The club spent big to replace the pair, with Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke arriving for considerable sums.

Jurgen Klopp's approach with Robert Lewandowski bodes well for Darwin NunezJurgen Klopp's approach with Robert Lewandowski bodes well for Darwin Nunez

But neither had hit the ground running, and both were unavailable for Klopp's first game in charge, a 0-0 draw away at Tottenham.

He still had the in-form Philippe Coutinho to call on, with the Brazilian perhaps the only player who could get into the team of today.

But Liverpool were also-rans in domestic, and European, football.

The Reds have upgraded considerably in every department, and did it all while spending within their means.

Liverpool's net spend of £755million under Klopp is less than any of their big six rivals over the same period, as is dwarfed by the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea.

The German has spent hundreds of millions building a world class squad
The German has spent hundreds of millions building a world class squad

CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

The club was very astute in its transfer dealings, cashing in on Coutinho for £142m and spending the money on Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, who took the side to the next level in terms of winning trophies.

Qualifying for the Champions League allowed Liverpool to attract the likes of Mo Salah and Fabinho, and gradually Klopp was able to mould a squad in his image.

Klopp implemented his gegenpress system thanks to a front three of Firmino, Salah and Sadio Mane, who will go down in Liverpool folklore.

He also got rid of players like Martin Skrtel, Moreno and Lucas and replaced them with pacy, high-energy stars like Andy Robertson, Georginio Wiljnaldum and Joel Matip.

Celtic icon Frank McGarvey dies aged 66 as tributes paid to hero after cancer fightCeltic icon Frank McGarvey dies aged 66 as tributes paid to hero after cancer fight

They all formed part of Liverpool's Premier League winning side in 2020 along with Trent Alexander-Arnold, with James Milner, Divock Origi and Adam Lallana the only members of Klopp's first line-up featuring in that squad.

But after missing out on the Prem title despite a points tally of 92 in 2022, Klopp decided to mix things up a bit.

In came Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo as Klopp implemented more of a possession-based style, bolstered by the midfield arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominic Szoboszlai.

All but Gakpo have arrived for fees worth more than £50m, but Klopp has kept his squad fresh and negated the considerable offload by selling players like Fabinho, Mane and Jordan Henerson.

His new-look side are still fighting on four fronts - they lead the Premier League by four points, are into the Carabao Cup final, and remain in the FA Cup and Europa League.

Remarkably, Klopp took his first Liverpool squad to the Carabao Cup and Europa League finals, losing both, before building his trophy-winning side.

His possession-based team also tasted domestic success, winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup double in 2022.

Klopp has won seven trophies in charge of Liverpool
Klopp has won seven trophies in charge of Liverpool

Kealan Hughes

Liverpool FC, Jurgen Klopp, James Milner

Read more similar news:

01.01.2023, 16:14 • Sport
Cristiano Ronaldo sent message by new Al-Nassr team-mate after Mohamed Salah dig
01.01.2023, 15:57 • Sport
Cody Gakpo makes Man Utd admission following his shock £37m Liverpool move
01.01.2023, 22:30 • Sport
Van Dijk fires warning to Arsenal as he refuses to rule out Liverpool title push
01.01.2023, 22:30 • Sport
Klopp sends Liverpool transfer warning - but leaves door open for January deals
01.01.2023, 20:19 • Sport
Dutch icon De Boer reveals why Gakpo was right to snub Man Utd for Liverpool
01.01.2023, 21:00 • Sport
Cody Gakpo can emulate idol Thierry Henry and take Prem by storm, says old coach
02.01.2023, 04:00 • Sport
Arsenal identify Tielemans alternative as Liverpool midfielder linked with move
02.01.2023, 07:00 • Sport
Liverpool predicted line-up vs Brentford as Cody Gakpo sweating on debut
02.01.2023, 08:01 • Sport
Alisson fires "mentality" warning to Liverpool teammates after fortunate win
02.01.2023, 09:55 • Sport
Liverpool coach admits seeking Virgil van Dijk solution that "never happened"