Jurgen Klopp is leaving Liverpool at the end of 2023/2024 season
Klopp announced himself to the world of football as Borussia Dortmund manager when they reached 2012/2013 UEFA Champions League Final. Dortmund lost 2012/2013 UEFA Champions League Final by a score line of 2-1 to Bayern Munich. Klopp decided to leave Dortmund at the end of 2014/2015 season after a seven-year spell as manager. The German took over as Liverpool manager in October 2015. Liverpool finished eighth in Klopp’s first year as manager. Klopp’s second season was a success as Liverpool finished fourth in 2016/2017 Premier League.
During Klopp’s time as Liverpool manager he created a extraordinary front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah scoring a combined 338 goals. In January 2018 Liverpool sold Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for £142 million. Liverpool spent some of Coutinho’s money on the £75 million signing of Virgil Van Dijk. Klopp was starting to put a strong team together with Van Dijk & Andy Robertson in defence and a front three of Mane, Salah and Firmino. Liverpool reached 2017/2018 UEFA Champions League Final after a semi-final win against Roma.
Klopp suffered his second Champions League Final defeat as manager when Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 in May 2018. Liverpool secured Champions League football for another season after a fourth placed finish in 2017/2018 Premier League. Klopp strengthened the spine of his team with the signing of goalkeeper Allison Becker and Fabinho in 2018 Transfer Window. Liverpool’s strongest team for 2018/2019 season consisted of Allison, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Joel Matip, Robertson, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum, Salah, Mane and Firmino.
2018/2019 UEFA Champions League semi-final was extremely dramatic as Liverpool came from three nil down to win the second leg four nil against Barcelona and advance to a final meeting with Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool had an opportunity of winning a double in 2018/2019 season as they went into the final day of Premier League one point behind leaders Manchester City. Liverpool won their final game against Wolves but wasn’t enough as Man City came from behind to win 2018/2019 Premier League title. Liverpool finished 2018/2019 season in style as they won their sixth UEFA Champions League against Tottenham Hotspur.
As successful as Liverpool have been in Europe they entered Premier League’s 28th season in August 2019 without winning a title. In the first half of 2019/2020 season Liverpool won both UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. Liverpool were top of the table when 2019/2020 Premier League season was paused in March 2020 due to covid-19 pandemic. The Premier League season resumed in June 2020 and Liverpool were crowned as champions after Man City lost to Chelsea. Klopp received hero status as Liverpool won their first Premier League title in 2020.
2020/2021 season was a struggle for Liverpool due to the lack of crowds at matches. A winning goal from goalkeeper Allison against West Bromwich Albion was crucial as Liverpool finished third in 2020/2021 Premier League season. At one stage of 2021/2022 season Liverpool were on course for a quadruple but had to settle for only two trophy wins the FA Cup and EFL Cup. Mane’s last game for Liverpool was Klopp’s third UEFA Champions League Final defeat as manager against Real Madrid in May 2022. Liverpool had to settle for Europa League after a fifth placed finish in 2022/2023 Premier League season.
Liverpool’s squad for this season was different as midfielders Henderson, Fabinho and James Milner left in 2023 Transfer Window. Liverpool’s midfield for January 21st 2024 game against Bournemouth consisted of Alexis MacAllister, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones. A shock decision was announced on January 26th that Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of season. Klopp has been a legend at Liverpool and one of the best managers to manage in the Premier League. Klopp leaving will give Liverpool’s players extra momentum to give the German a fairytale ending at Anfield.
Liverpool are currently top of the Premier League and still in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa League. The quadruple is still on for Liverpool and that would be an incredible finish for Klopp. Potentially Klopp’s final Liverpool game as manager could be the Europa League Final on May 22nd 2024 in Dublin. Liverpool fans will remember Klopp for achieving their first title in 30 years but a blow for the Premier League as the German had great battles against Pep Guardiola’s Man City. Klopp had more highs than lows in his nine years as Liverpool manager especially in bringing them from a midtable team to title challengers.