Klopp’s four-year vision is looking good for Reds

Liverpool assistant manager Peter Krawietz believes Jurgen Klopp is well on his way to building a long-lasting legacy at Anfield.

Exactly four years ago Klopp was confirmed as Reds boss, inheriting a team which had lost its way under Brendan Rodgers.

The club were three points off the top four and six behind leaders Manchester City but, over the course of the next 48 months, the German has turned them into a force at home and abroad.

A sixth European Cup was secured in June as Klopp finally triumphed in his fourth final with the Reds,.

Four years on from his arrival Liverpool sit top of the standings, having considerably turned the tables on City. They have already established an eight-point lead over the defending champions.

At his first press conference, Klopp, promising to change “doubters into believers”, pledged: “If we sit here in four years I think we win a title, I’m pretty sure.”

He has delivered on that with the Champions League triumph and has also put the team in a position to end their 30-year wait for a domestic championship.

But Krawietz insists the progress can be measured in more than trophies.

“We didn’t expect it would be easy,” he told liverpoolfc.com.

“We thought the things we want to invent take a bit of time – a long-term idea – and we’d come somewhere where we’d try to make an impact for the whole club, something that stays for longer even if you are not here any more.

“I would say it’s not too bad so far.”

Klopp has overhauled the squad by a process of evolution not revolution.

In his first transfer window he made just two signings: youngster Marko Grujic for £5.1 million, who was immediately loaned back to Red Star Belgrade, and Steven Caulker on loan.

The likes of Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum arrived the following summer, and 12 months later Mohamed Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and arguably his best-value buy Andy Robertson were signed.

The final pieces of the jigsaw arrived with the £65m signing of goalkeeper Alisson Becker, along with midfielders Naby Keita and Fabinho.

“In the best case, people learn and develop,” added Krawietz.

“We changed and developed as well. You should always try to get better, that’s the interesting thing. The game is developing; we try to be inventive.”

Jurgen Klopp predicted his Reds would win the title.