October 8th, 2015 marked a huge turning point in Liverpool Football Club’s history – the appointment of Jurgen Klopp as Reds manager.
In my recent posts, I have delved into a lot of experiences and moments Klopp has given me as a matchday supporter.
Four years ago, the German came in for Brendan Rodgers, facing a team riddled with confusion, no real sense of direction and in the process of rebuilding.
In his first interview, Klopp promised a title within four or five years, but emphasised that it wouldn’t be a quick fix. Both of these statements have been correct.
Fast forward eight months, coming out of St Jakob Park in Basel, I am not scared to admit that I was questioning Klopp’s form in finals.
How wrong was I?
A Champions League, a Super Cup, 17 straight Premier League wins and taking arguably the best and most expensive English side ever assembled right to the very end last season, and looking on course to do so again.
After a long train of thought, I have come up with my five best Klopp moments.
There are some obvious candidates, with a surprises also creeping in.
The beauty of football is the opinions that come with it – this list could be a lot different to the viewers reading – but it has been picked on my own individual experience of going to the match.
One thing that can be agreed on is that it has been one hell of a ride so far!
5. Norwich 4-5 Liverpool – 2015/16
Looking at the lineup from the game, it is a far cry from our team of record-breakers we have now, but in terms of the away day experience, this had everything.
A 3am start, a flat party before the game in the shadows of Carrow Road, a last-minute winner and Kevin Stewart up front. Remember him?
Going up and down the country is worth it for moments like these.
Watching Adam Lallana bounce the ball into the roof of John Ruddy’s net, the away end went ballistic.
In the long term, it counted for nothing, but for me it was the first time we saw the players properly engage with Klopp, going absolutely crazy on the touchline and running into the huddle of players, showing the first signs of the togetherness and unity that had gone at the end of the Rodgers era.
Leaving Norwich with all three points that day, alongside a fantastic coach home with all the match-going lads, made it one of the best-ever.
4. Man City 1-2 Liverpool – 2017/18
The game where we all started to really believe (and book flights) for Kiev.
Although we had teared Manchester City apart a week before at Anfield, there was still a massive task at hand, and an early goal from Gabriel Jesus made the away end that bit more nervy.
A full day out on the ale in Manchester, alongside a humongous walk across town to the ground, alongside hundreds of regulars you see every week, made it a brilliant ‘European away’.
Then, when Mohamed Salah settled it, the away end was well and truly chaotic. It was probably the best celebration I have been in at the match.
‘Allez Allez Allez’ was in full swing, then our great manager came over at the end, picking out and laughing at some of the travelling Kop in the home end.
What a night.
3. Liverpool 4-3 Borussia Dortmund – 2015/16
This was one of the greatest European nights in recent memory.
Although the final ended in defeat, when Dejan Lovren rose above the Borussia Dortmund defence to head in the winner, the back of the Kop was unrivalled.
Some may say it was only the Europa League, but it felt like a real turning point for Liverpool, knocking out the clear favourites for the tournament and showing just how much of an improvement Klopp had made in just a few months.
The Yellow Wall mixed in with the Red of Anfield and an emotional You’ll Never Walk Alone before the match – this was the game that made me realise we were on a journey with Klopp.
2. Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham – 2018/19
This game, and trip, could have its own article – something I will do in the near future.
In a nutshell: non-existent hotels, staying on random lads couches, 50 Scousers travelling across Spain on a bus. The trip had everything.
After what was a nightmare day or two, all was forgotten watching Klopp lift the Champions League with my own two eyes.
Standing with my mates who I had started going to the match with as a young lad, watching our team lift the European Cup, was unrivalled. Without Klopp, this wouldn’t be possible.
The game – a real sluggish encounter – wasn’t entirely one to remember, but the German had delivered his first trophy for us.
1. Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona – 2018/19
In what was such an up-and down-week – humiliation and total confusion in the Nou Camp and snatching a late winner at St James’ Park – I just had a feeling something special was going to happen at home to Barcelona.
Like Dortmund, the away end filled with Catalan colours made Anfield so pure and come to life.
As soon as Divock Origi scored the first, I knew it was on. We all know the rest.
At the end of the game, I was teary-eyed watching every single squad member on the pitch and Salah sporting a ‘Never Give Up’ t-shirt, while our manager led a defiant rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone.
We knew we had already won in Madrid at this moment.
Thinking back to that evening now, it was magical, and confirmed itself as Anfield’s greatest-ever night.
Unless we win the Premier League, this will be the greatest moment under Klopp, and one of the best in our history.
