Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
KOP’S NEW WORLD ORDER
Recent Liverpool teams have been weighed down by a glorious history... Klopp’s inspired men are making their own
HISTORY has finally become an inspiration rather than burden for the Jurgen Klopp generation.
For too long, previous Liverpool teams have been weighed down by comparisons to the club’s glorious past. But this team, who can finally call themselves world champions, are breaking the mould with every trophy they collect.
Liverpool have conquered Europe six times and yet this is their first Club World Cup triumph.
The Reds finish 2019 with a third piece of silverware, having lifted the Champions League and then the European Super Cup in the last 12 months. And now they are determined to win their first title since 1990.
Previous attempts have fallen by the wayside because of the expectation placed on their shoulders by the great Liverpool teams of the late 1970s and 80s.
But Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has given an insight into the dressing-room philosophy, and explained why they are not intimidated by the club’s glorious history.
The Brazilian No.1 said: “We are making things special. The boss keeps us together and we try to make the difference not just on the pitch but off the pitch with the supporters.
“Every time we say ‘We are Liverpool, this means more,’ maybe it makes no sense for those who are not Liverpool supporters but we really try to make this special for everybody.
“Not just for us players, but the supporters also who are all around the world following us. We need to give the best on the pitch. They have already the history but we are making history again. Football is like this.
“You always have another opportunity. On Thursday we have another big match against Leicester and this is the beauty of football.
“We will try to make history again because we have a big goal and that is the Premier League, and of course we have to try to defend the Champions League title.
“When you win it is special. Winning for Liverpool is even more special. We try to do our best, we are thinking about always the next game we have in front of us.
“We have many games to play, we are just halfway through the season so we have a long way to go.” Brazilian star Roberto Firmino grabbed the extratime goal that sunk Brazilian side Flamengo in Doha.
Klopp (celebrating with the trophy, left) underlined
his determination to deliver a first Club World Cup to Anfield by fielding a full-strength team despite Liverpool’s daunting fixture list, with Alex Oxlade-chamberlain’s ankle injury another concern for a growing casualty list.
He was rewarded with a victory Liverpool deserved.
They should have won more comfortably and you began to fear more disappointment in a trophy which has slipped away from them in the past.
But this team never give up, they have the character and nerve to leave it late, and every match produces a different hero. Jordan Henderson was outstanding in midfield, Firmino took the headlines with the winner (top, and celebrating, centre) while Joe Gomez was impressive at the back.
England star Gomez is potentially the best centraldefensive partner for Virgil van Dijk when fully fit. He underlined that with a standout performance, making crucial interceptions and blocks. Nothing got past him.
It has been a frustrating 2019 for Gomez because injuries have interrupted his rhythm and form but it can be a good year ahead if he can stay fit.
The 22-year-old said: “I have had periods of not being involved in things like this so that’s why I just want to savour every moment. It’s a blessing to be a part of this club. I think in the future I am going to look back and think ‘That was a really special team to be a part of.’ To be involved in things like this... yeah. It’s a big blessing.
“We are trying to make winning trophies a habit. That is what we are trying to do with the mindset in this team. Look at it – we don’t get that penalty in the last minute and you think our heads might go.
“It is a final on the world stage. We kept our heads and we kept playing and then Bobby pops up. That’s the mentality we are trying to build. It’s a great characteristic and who knows where it can take us.”