5 matches that defined Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool Reign
- You cannot help but reminisce when there is a change in progress.
- We take a trip down memory lane of Klopp’s tenure at Anfield.
- Ranking Klopp’s most impactful matches outside of Finals.
By Jajhar Singh
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim – (H) – 15/08/17 – 4-2
Ah, the days of Champions League qualifiers. When Liverpool fans would be filled with anxiety and trepidation about getting through this stage of the competition.
This was the second leg following a 2-1 lead from the away leg. Jurgen Klopp just had his first full preseason with Liverpool.
For Jurgen, this is the most important time of the season for him and his players. This game was a showcase of how the team had gone up another level in terms of individual performances and the players gelling as a collective.
The takeaway image from this game is the celebration on the touchline of Jurgen Klopp shouting “That’s what you call football”. The Heavy Metal football of Liverpool had been cranked up a notch.
Barcelona – (H) – 01/05/19 – 4-0
European nights at Anfield! If only you could bottle it up and sell it. Every generation is defined by one game that is played at Anfield that is then talked about decades later.
We have the St-Etienne game in 1977. We also have the Olympiakos game in 2004 on the road to Istanbul and then there was this game.
3 goals down to a Messi inspired Barcelona in the previous leg. Liverpool had a mountain to climb. To rub salt into the wound Liverpool had Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino missing.
It was not looking good. That does not bother The Kop. “We have been here before” is what they will say. The flags come out and the fans give It their all before kick-off. The mood had been set. Things started off well with an early Origi goal to get the wheels in motion.
This is a perfect example of when the players and the fans feed off each other. At half time the balance of the team is upset by the injury of Andy Robertson.
But that is just destiny because the on coming substitute, Georginio Wijnaldum scores 2 goals in 2 minutes to rock the Barcelona team.
You can see it on their faces on the pitch. They have no idea what has just happened. The everlasting image in this game is the commentary that goes along with the 4th goal. A young Trent Alexander-Arnold spots Origi free and takes the corner quickly and Origi nonchalantly knocks the ball into the net.