Klopp is poised to outdo greats
FOR Jurgen Klopp to create history and become the first Liverpool manager to win the European Cup, the league, the FA Cup and League Cup — something not even Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Kenny Dalglish, Gerard Houllier or Rafa Benitez ever achieved — is phenomenal.
Klopp is already a legend but if he can go and lead Liverpool to victory against Real Madrid in the Champions League final, then he’s in the conversation about the club’s greatest ever boss — and I speak as someone who grew up as a Liverpool fanatic on stories of how amazing Shankly and Paisley were.
What makes Klopp’s record particularly special is the state of the team when he took over in 2015. The Liverpool he joined were not a side who were challenging for titles or in the latter stages of the Champions League.
They were quite a distance behind Chelsea and other teams at that time.
To try to bridge the gap, a lot of managers would have tried to ‘go back to basics’ and build from the back.
Klopp did it the hard way, creating a team with dynamism and style, knowing it might take time to fit together. He wasn’t pragmatic in going for the easy options. He wanted a free-flowing side with high energy, knowing in the end that that’s what it would take to challenge the very best.
Boy, has he achieved that. His connection with the supporters is incredible. My sons were at Wembley yesterday and I am sure they’ll remember the occasion for the rest of their lives.
The beauty for Liverpool fans is there is more to come. Luis Diaz is just starting his Anfield career. And Klopp has signed a long-term deal of his own. He wouldn’t have done that without belief that great times are ahead.
Talk of the Quadruple has raised expectations but even if Liverpool don’t add to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, to win two trophies this season is a fine, fine campaign. To win three would be among the best seasons in the club’s history.
And four? Well, that is reliant on Manchester City slipping up so it’s probably best we don’t ponder too much about that. I thought it was a terrific FA Cup final, one of the best 0-0s I have seen, as was the League Cup final between the same teams.
The game had intensity and quality. Liverpool started with the full press, leaving Chelsea looking fearful. I thought in the first 20 minutes it was only a matter of time before Liverpool scored. But of course, Chelsea have so much individual quality, that they were going to come back.
Jordan Henderson was outstanding, but having to play more centrally because of Fabinho’s injury gave Liverpool a problem down their right.
Normally Henderson senses danger and helps Trent Alexander-Arnold if he is vulnerable because he has gone forward.
Naby Keita didn’t play badly but didn’t understand the role as well as Henderson did. It left AlexanderArnold caught between marking Christian Pulisic and covering the overlaps of Marcos Alonso.
I felt sorry for him because there is no doubt Chelsea got joy down that side.
Ultimately though, I thought Liverpool deserved the win on chances created and the work rate — and skill — of Diaz and Sadio Mane.
I thought it was a shame Chelsea felt they couldn’t bring on Timo Werner later in the game when legs were tiring and space opening up because of the player’s hamstring concern.
Werner has the ability to scare defenders with his pace and I am sure Alexander-Arnold and the others were glad not to see him.
I have been in that position as a player when the opponent sends on a quick player late on. I was also surprised N’Golo Kante didn’t start because Liverpool did overrun Chelsea in midfield at times.