‘Look to the class of 2005’
JASON MCATEER believes Jurgen Klopp can take inspiration from Liverpool’s Class of 2005.
The former Kop midfielder reckons that European glory is possible under the coach who took Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League Final five years ago.
And as Liverpool prepare to take on Porto this week in the first leg of a last-16 tie, he recalled how Rafa Benitez’s men defied all the odds in Istanbul.
“If there is one thing we have seen in the Champions League, it’s that you don’t have to be the best team in it to win it,” said Mcateer.
“Look back throughout history and it’s happened a few times — not least in 2005.
“Let’s be honest, when Liverpool won the Champions League they had one of the weakest teams in the history of the competition.
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“Yet not only did they beat some very good teams to reach the final, they then came back from 3-0 down against AC Milan to win it.
“Klopp’s style of football does get questioned when it comes to European competitions but he found himself in the Champions League with Dortmund playing that way and he will believe he can also do it with Liverpool.
“I’ve got to say that his Dortmund back-five was better than the one has got at Liverpool, but he’s tried to sort that out by spending big on Virgil van Dijk and I am sure in time he will get there.
“The odds are stacked up against him in this season’s Champions League and other teams have more quality and experience.
“But you never know what might happen and you can feel that Klopp is building something.”