Anfield lifted Liverpool

It is often in times of crisis that the true stature of good motivators is discovered. is Bill Shankly, one of Liverpool’s great legends and the reference to its best times, said that the conditions of leadership “are only seen when defeats come.” The job of Jurgen Klopp This year he is proving him right, as the German coach is once again leading the Reds, thanks to his personality, stability and conviction, to their place among the greats of English football. And he did it after a very difficult period of results last year, which forced him to rebuild his project in Merseyside.

At a pre-season public event held at The Shankly Hotel in the city of Mersey, Klopp He promised the fans who listened to him: “We will once again be the team that no one wants to play against.” The music of his rousing speech is beautiful and has accompanied him to all his games this year, as fans in Liverpool see the same energy that their coach predicted.

The ‘reds’ have once again made themselves respectable, especially in the power of Anfield. Thanks to their fans, they won all their games, six in the Premier, two in the Europa League and one in the League Cup, all by two or more goals. So they put themselves just one point behind Manchester City, who they will visit at the Etihad after the international break for the national team day, in a confrontation that will set their course and options for the title.

Liverpool regained confidence and settled with the signings of McAllister, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch, who now form their revamped midfield. It is not easy to adapt three new players at the same time to the main line of the team, but Klopp It didn’t take long and they got together. He has also signed in Japan Wataru Endo for cycles in the dark function performed Fabinho, before he left Arabia. He knows that he has a mission, as he himself says, to “fix things” after a very difficult year of transfer, in which he accused the removal of several mainstays, with a disappointing fifth place in the Premier. So they lost their coveted status as a permanent club in the Champions League.

The new ‘German way’

The task of recomposition was not easy. But, when eight years passed since he was appointed ‘red’ coach, Klopp This is an example of integration into the philosophy of the club. Renewed until 2026, he is not only happy in the city on the banks of the Mersey, which he considers “home”, but he works tirelessly at the training base in Kirkby and gives up part of his free time to participate in events in fundraising funds from the foundation which support grassroots football initiatives across Merseyside.

The owners, the American company Fenway Sports Group and its top leader Mike Gordon, they never doubted its continuity. The German, at 56 years old, is the club’s longest-serving coach since then Bob Paisley who was in charge between 1974 and 1983. Now he is only concerned about winning titles again in a phase that he himself christened as ‘Liverpool 2.0’ and has a German connection. For now, he has another six-time European champion where he is in demand. Compete at the best level.

You have to understand the change in style from its movements in the German market. In James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Roberto Firmino termination of their contracts, Jurgen Klopp lost many veteran players of great importance to the squad. They also went to Arab football Henderson and Fabinhotwo major parts in containment, and also resigned as sports director Julian Ward, after only one year in the position. The experienced German exporter Jörg Schmadtke take over and it is no coincidence, then, that the arrivals from the Bundesliga of Szoboszlai (Leipzig), Gravenberch (Bayern) and Endo (Stuttgart). Great players, but more affordable, to suit the financial needs of the club.

This new Liverpool has regained its bearings and corrected some of its faults. Now it is again the team with the fewest goals scored in the Premier, with Arsenal (10 goals in 12 games) and the middle Van Dijk, key to his best moments, is also back to his old self. Beyond the tactical change, Liverpool, who play at the Etihad on November 25, when the Premier League resumes, are close to returning to their best. This season he has only given points in away games at Anfield, and one reason for his reliability is the number of his forwards, for whom, once again, he has been terrifying. Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota, Luis Díaz and Mohamed Salah They once again flew into Liverpool’s direct attacks, amassing 27 goals in 12 games.

As a good leader who knows how to listen to himself after bad times, following the words of Shankly, Klopp He showed his motivational skills this year in all areas. On the field and off it. He raised his voice to violently protest against the serious errors of the referees in the use of VAR, or to criticize, today, the midday time chosen for the match in Manchester against the City of Guardiola, which could be key in the title fight, and where players will be forced to overexercise due to intercontinental flights and less rest time. With only three points in the top five, the complaints and strength of Klopp They are also signs that Liverpool are ready for the challenge of the most contested Premier League in recent years.