Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

'One in a million' Klopp makes Liverpool a European giant once more

Klopp has also ended Liverpool’s 30-year wait to win a league title in 2020.

'One in a million' Klopp makes Liverpool a European giant once more

"We are not here by any kind of magic," said Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool's third appearance in the Champions League final in five years. "We deserve this."

Real Madrid stand in the Reds' way at the Stade de France on Saturday, just as they did four years ago in the first of Liverpool's European Cup finals under their German guru.


Defeat 3-1 that night in Kyiv to two goalkeeping errors from Loris Karius, having lost star man Mohamed Salah early on to a cruelly inflicted dislocated shoulder, might have broken other sides.

"This was a harsh night for us," Klopp reflected on Wednesday.

Instead, a year later, the Reds were back on the biggest stage to right those wrongs by beating Tottenham in Madrid to lift a sixth European Cup.

Since then Klopp has also ended Liverpool's 30-year wait to win a league title in 2020.

"If I sit here in four years, I am pretty confident we will have one title," Klopp said when he first arrived as Liverpool manager. Seven years on, they very nearly won four in a season.

Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson of Liverpool speak in a press conference at AXA Training Centre on May 25, 2022 in Kirkby, England Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson of Liverpool speak in a press conference at AXA Training Centre on May 25, 2022 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Saturday's final will be their 63rd game of the campaign having reached the final of every competition.

The League Cup and FA Cup are already back in the Anfield trophy room, but Manchester City held off Liverpool's charge since the turn of the year to win a thrilling Premier League title race on Sunday.

"Without the Champions League it would be a great season. With the Champions League it would be a fantastic season," Klopp added.

'Special man'

Credit for Liverpool's sustained success has been shared around.

The club's outgoing sporting director Michael Edwards has been lauded for near faultless recruitment in the transfer market.

Klopp has welcomed in a series of experts from throw-in coaches to neuroscientists to help his players take penalties in pursuit of marginal gains.

But it is his mix of tacitcal acumen, man-management and cult of personality that has transformed a sleeping giant struggling just to qualify for the Champions League back into a European superpower.

GettyImages 1399174298 Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool and Juergen Klopp interact during a training session at AXA Training Centre (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

"The players deserve unbelievable credit, but it is all down to that man. Liverpool have a very, very special man at the top of their club," said former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

"What he has created right through this club is the standard that he expects, that spirit, that mentality. He is just an absolute revelation."

Klopp has six major honours to his name as Liverpool boss.

That tally would be much higher had he not been up against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, backed by the state wealth of Abu Dhabi.

Liverpool have posted three of the highest nine points tallies in Premier League history in the past four years for the reward of just one title as City have twice edged them by a solitary point.

The Reds' lesser resources mean Klopp has needed to drain every ounce of effort from his squad just to keep up.

"After the Champions League final (in Madrid), I said it wouldn't be possible to win it without the manager," said Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.

"I felt from day one he came in the door he changed everything and we have all followed him."

Luckily for the Liverpool support there is much more to come.

Against prior expectation, Klopp extended his contract to 2026 last month, which would take his stay at Anfield beyond a decade.

Aston Villa manager and legendary former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has long been tipped as a possible successor.

But even he urged the Liverpool support to enjoy the ride under Klopp as long as it lasts.

"Liverpool fans should enjoy Jurgen Klopp," said Gerrard. "I think he's one in a million, he's that good."

© Agence France-Presse

More For You

Indian tennis searches for answers after dismal 2024

Sumit Nagal

Indian tennis searches for answers after dismal 2024

Eastern Eye

DISILLUSIONED players declined national duty and their governing body grappled with infighting as Indian tennis struggled to stay afloat in a largely disappointing 2024.

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) and the players being at loggerheads was not a new development. But the striking part was the lack of transparency in decision-making and nearly non-existent effort to address the concerns of the players.

Keep ReadingShow less
Devajit-Saikia-Getty

Saikia's cricketing background includes a brief stint as a wicketkeeper-batter for Assam, scoring 53 runs in four first-class matches during the 1990–91 season. (Photo: Getty Images)

Devajit Saikia: From lawyer to India's next cricket chief

Devajit Saikia is set to take charge as the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), one of the wealthiest and most influential governing bodies in global sports.

Saikia, a lawyer with a modest cricketing career, was the only nominee for the role and is expected to be confirmed at a BCCI members' meeting in Mumbai on Sunday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anahat-Singh-Getty

In 2022, the Delhi-based player became the youngest Indian athlete to participate in the Commonwealth Games. (Photo: Getty Images)

India's Anahat Singh wins U-17 British Junior Open squash title

INDIA's squash talent Anahat Singh secured the U-17 title at the British Junior Open on Monday with a hard-fought victory over Egypt's Malika El Karaksy in Birmingham.

The 16-year-old top seed staged a comeback to defeat the second-seeded El Karaksy in five games, with scores of 4-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5, 11-3.

Keep ReadingShow less
afg-vs-eng-getty

England's men's ODI team is scheduled to play Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26. (Photo: Getty Images)

Politicians urge ECB to boycott match against Afghanistan

OVER 160 British politicians have called on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan next month as a stand against the Taliban regime's restrictions on women's rights.

The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 has effectively banned female participation in sports, a move that violates the International Cricket Council's (ICC) regulations. Despite this, Afghanistan continues to compete in international cricket.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan-Test

Afghanistan put on an all-round display in the 2nd test match to beat the hosts by 72 runs on the final day. (Photo: Afghanistan Cricket)

Rashid Khan leads Afghanistan to series victory over Zimbabwe

AFGHANISTAN secured a 72-run victory over Zimbabwe on Monday, wrapping up the two-Test series 1-0 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Star leg-spinner Rashid Khan took his seventh wicket of the innings as Afghanistan completed the match in just 15 deliveries on the final day.

Keep ReadingShow less