Sport

Liverpool and Klopp heading in the right direction

Liverpool and Klopp heading in the right direction. Jurgen Klopp has had an immediate impact at Anfield. Last season, the German led Liverpool to the Capital One Cup final and the Europa League final – an impressive accomplishment in his first season at the helm. And those feats were enough to convince the Reds hierarchy to offer Klopp a six year contract extension. While it would be foolish to expect Klopp to bring instant success to the club, Liverpool could be on the verge of something very special.

Firstly, Liverpool have made a number of astute moves in the transfer market. Klopp was wise to stick to the Bundesliga – an elite league that the former Borussia Dortmund boss knows like the back of his hand. Joel Matip will give the Reds a competent option in central defensive areas; a void that Klopp needed to fill. Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure left the club this summer and the young Cameroon star could be the man to partner Mamadou Sakho.

And if Matip’s arrival at Anfield wasn’t enough, the Reds signed FC Augsburg’s Ragnar Klavan; statistically one of the best defenders in Germany last season. On his day, Klavan is reliable and his aggressive style will give Liverpool a physical presence at the heart of the defence. But perhaps his greatest trait is his ability to bring the ball out from the back; Klavan had an 85.3% pass completion rate – and this will appeal to Klopp’s second nature.

In addition, they signed highly touted goalkeeper Loris Karius from Mainz for an estimated fee of just under £5 million. If he continues to mature and progress at his current rate, the Reds may have a top shot stopper on their hands. Karius was phenomenal last season and he will certainly throw down the gauntlet to Simon Mignolet as they battle for the number one jersey. Who knows, Liverpool fans may get used to seeing Karius between the sticks.

But Klopp didn’t stick solely to the Bundesliga this summer. He followed in the footsteps of Brendan Rodgers and moved for yet another Southampton star. Sadio Mane became the fifth player to move from St Mary’s to Anfield since the summer of 2014 but he may be the most important of the lot. At £34 million, Liverpool fans will be expecting instant success and it shouldn’t really take much time for Mane to adjust to life at Anfield.

As history shows, clever transfer activity doesn’t always guarantee success. Klopp has more or less implemented his ‘gegenpress’ strategy across the squad – and Liverpool will reap rewards next season. If the Reds are fitter, they will be able to exploit opposing defences and take advantage of tiring rivals in the closing stages of matches. And with that in mind, Liverpool could well be about to regain their place in the top four of English football.

The Reds are on the right track and could well challenge for a Champions League spot this season. Klopp is building a monster at Anfield and Liverpool supporters know it.

Given time, he could be the man to fire the Reds to a first league title since 1990…