Jurgen Klopp racked up 50 games in charge of the Reds against Chelsea on Wednesday and we pick five of the best wins from the German’s reign so far.
Klopp has become the fastest Liverpool manager in history to reach the half-century landmark of games – doing so in just 217 days.
In that relentless period, the Liverpool boss has enjoyed some memorable victories of the 23 claimed across domestic and European competition, providing Reds fans with some unforgettable moments along the way.
Here are five of the best successes from Klopp’s brief but intense and exciting tenure so far.
Man City 1-4 Liverpool
Liverpool arrived at the Etihad Stadium with a poor recent record, leaving fans fearing the worst against the title contenders.
But what an evening it turned into as the Reds rain riot in Manchester, producing the first proper display of ‘Klopp Football’.
From the get-go, Klopp’s men swarmed City with relentless energy that Manuel Pelligrini’s side couldn’t cope with, complementing some fantastic football that proved too much for the home defence.
Klopp watched on as his team blitzed City, racing into a 3-0 lead within 32 minutes with an early own-goal from Eliquim Mangala putting the Reds ahead.
Philippe Coutinho’s crisp finish inside the box added a second 23 minutes in, and an exquisite move involving Emre Can and the Brazilian ended with Roberto Firmino scoring a third with his first Reds goal.
Sergio Aguero punished a rare sloppy piece of Liverpool play to pull one back, but Martin Skrtel added deserved gloss to the score-line, rifling home a sweetly-struck half-volley inside the box late on to complete the rout.
Norwich 4-5 Liverpool
Trips to Carrow Road have often been rewarding in recent seasons for Liverpool, but few expected a result to be achieved quite like this.
Though not the most convincing win under Klopp – it was display that appalled as much as it pleased – it was a result that encapsulated the battling spirit the Reds boss started installing, with Liverpool’s sheer refusal for anything other than victory earning a dramatic win.
Roberto Firmino’s cool finish looked to have set a routine success underway, but a defensive collapse and goals from Dieumerci Mbokani, Steven Naismith and Wes Hoolahan saw the Reds fall 3-1 behind.
Jordan Henderson‘s crisp strike halved the deficit before Firmino’s delightful second made it 3-3, and James Milner hit what looked to be the winner as he slotted past John Ruddy.
But a 92nd minute leveller from Sebastien Bassong appeared to earn Norwich a point, only until Adam Lallana’s bouncing volley found the net in the dying seconds, sparking wild celebrations in the Reds’ dugout, to steal a dramatic three points.
Liverpool 4-3 Borussia Dortmund
There has been a number of brilliant wins under Klopp but this is undoubtedly the best of them all.
The Reds called on the spirit of Istanbul to produce arguably one of their greatest victories since that in 2005 to overcome the German’s on a truly magical night at Anfield.
The 1-1 draw and crucial away goal battled for in Germany counted for nothing within minutes after Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang goals left Klopp’s side 2-0 down at half-time and on the brink of elimination.
Divock Origi’s early second period finish provided hope, which Marco Reus looked to have ended once and for all with a composed finish that left Liverpool needing three goals in 32 minutes.
Remarkably, Klopp’s side staged a miraculous comeback with goals from Philippe Coutinho and Mamadou Sakho leaving the Reds needing just one more.
And Dejan Lovren stepped up to become the unlikely hero, netting the winner with an injury-time header to complete one of the most dramatic wins Anfield has witnessed.
Liverpool 4-0 Everton
The Reds have enjoyed pure dominance of their local rivals for years at Anfield, and Klopp took no time to keep that tradition going in his first Merseyside derby in charge.
Though Everton’s display was certainly poor, Klopp’s men were simply too good for the Blues.
It took 43 minutes for the Reds to make their superiority tell with Divock Origi heading home the first, which Mamadou Sakho added to in first half stoppage time with a header of his own to give Liverpool a two-goal lead.
It was all too easy for Klopp’s side – even before the Blues had Ramiro Funes Mori sent off early in the second half – and Liverpool fully accepted the invitation to inflict humiliation on their neighbours.
Substitute Daniel Sturridge made it 3-0 with a cool finish inside the box, and a fine curling effort from Coutinho completed the demolition to give Klopp the dream derby-day impact.
Liverpool 3-0 Villarreal
Trailing 1-0 from the first-leg in Spain, a feeling of trepidation complemented that of hope at Anfield for the return fixture.
But the Reds completely blew away Marcelino’s side, with Klopp’s men turning in one of the most accomplished displays of his tenure to book their Europa League final place.
An own-goal from Bruno Soriano started the night off perfectly for Liverpool, who took full advantage of their disorientated opponents who were overwhelmed by the force of Anfield.
Controlling the contest from that point on, the Reds made light work of sinking the Yellow Submarine once and for all with a dominant second half display, ripping apart a team renowned for their defensive resilience.
Finishes from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana capped off a fine team performance to seal the comprehensive win, giving Anfield another night to remember.
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