Champions of Europe. One point off of Premier League leaders Manchester City with a 97 point tally (A point tally that would’ve won the league in 25 of the last 27 seasons.) PFA Player of the Year in Virgil Van Dijk. Golden Glove winner in Alisson Becker. Premier League joint top scorers in Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah (shared with Aubameyang.) Three players up for Ballon d’or in Mane, Salah, and Van Dijk. First trophy since the league cup in 2012.
This review of achievements suggests that last season was Liverpool’s best in recent times, if not ever. Yet fans are still desperate to win the league title. Rampant cries of “Liverpool need to make signings!” have gone unanswered by the club. The signing of two youngsters, Harvey Elliot and Sepp van den Berg, and backup goalkeeper Adrian after the departure of Simon Mignolet have been the only action. While Liverpool have been close to stagnant their top 6 rivals have been splashing the cash for talent.
During his reign, Klopp has turned supporters from doubters to believers by making Liverpool a top club in Europe and once again reestablishing Anfield as the fortress it deserves to be. And he countered the loudest criticism of having not won a trophy by winning the biggest of them all, the UEFA Champions League title, making the club a 6 time European champion. Many of the doubters have been silenced. Fans who questioned replacing world-class right back Nathaniel Clyne with a scouser from the youth academy now cherish watching the most valuable right back in the world play for the club, and brag that he is only 20 years of age. The maligned move for Andrew Robertson for 8 million pounds from a relegated Hull City side is now trumpeted as a brilliant fix to Liverpool’s long standing woes at left back.
In spite of this success, Klopp continues to operate amongst the backdrop of doubt within the fan base. The combination of burning hope for a league title and fear of falling back off the perch create palpable angst among many of the LFC diehard during the transfer window when on-field results can’t be used to calm the emotions. The only antidote is the ever-loudening fan motto: In Klopp we Trust. Jurgen believes the team is where it needs to be to challenge on every front this season. He has kept all the key players on the roster, reversing the years long trend of trading many of the teams best players. The German says Oxlade-Chamberlain’s return to health and the improved footing of past years’ roster additions are better than new signings. Jurgen Klopp has stated a clear vision since taking the helm, and that vision has indisputably turned into reality on the pitch and throughout the club. And with that, more and more of the faithful find comfort in the voice of their manager to muffle the doubting voice in their head.
Liverpool took one small step in proving Klopp right in the first game of the premier league season with a thumping 4-1 victory over promoted side Norwich City. The goals came from Salah, Van Dijk, and Origi after an own goal put them up one. This statement start to the season, marred only by a calf injury setback to star goalkeeper Alisson, reminded fans where the last season left off and brought comfort to the doubters. More importantly, the result highlighted the value of keeping a team together and validated Klopp’s repeated assurances that Liverpool have the mentality to soar.
The impact of Liverpool’s quiet transfer window will unfold in the upcoming months. Will Klopp’s vision of incorporating youngsters into the first team continue to pay dividends? Was there really little room for improvement over last year’s squad? Will patience for the right players once again result in another Van Dijk? The answers will emerge, but there is little doubt that Liverpool is going to fight for multiple trophies this season. Success will once again depend on a culture that supports the achievements of superstars with squad trust in their manager. This is a team that dreamed big last year and achieved even bigger. Having worked so well for the players and many of the fans last year, this year’s pre-season doubters are increasingly tossing their faith to: In Klopp we Trust.