Jurgen Klopp has been Liverpool manager for a year, and has already made significant progress during his time in the Anfield dugout.
Klopp was named Brendan Rodgers’ successor on October 8, 2015, marking a major step forward in the modern history of Liverpool Football Club.
The German, who arrived as a proven, world-class manager after a successful seven-year spell with Borussia Dortmund, is poised to bring glory back to Merseyside.
It has been an impressive 12 months for Klopp, and here we delve into the archives to look at his best, and worst, moments so far…
Klopp was unveiled at Anfield a day after his appointment saying: “In a special Liverpool way we can be successful. If we sit here in four years I think we win a title, I’m pretty sure.”
His first game as manager came away to Tottenham Hotspur, with Liverpool producing a lung-bursting display to hold Mauricio Pochettino’s side to a 0-0 draw.
Soon after, however, Klopp was inspiring his side to victory, including a 3-1 triumph away to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.
Five days later, another victory came away to Rubin Kazan in the Europa League, with this three points setting the Reds on their way to a remarkable run in Europe’s second-tier tournament.
It took time for Liverpool to begin to showcase the attractive, high-intensity football Klopp demanded of them, however.
But November’s 4-1 win away to Manchester City, inspired by Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, saw just that.
Klopp has tasked himself not just with reinvigorating Liverpool on the pitch, but also in the stands, and saluting the Kop after December’s 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion saw him take the next step towards doing so.
Klopp’s passion was on show during January’s sensational 5-4 comeback win away to Norwich City, with Lallana’s late winner sparking wild celebrations on the touchline.
The 49-year-old led Liverpool to two cup finals in his first season in charge, the first resulting in defeat to City at Wembley Stadium in the League Cup.
As their league form waned, the Reds’ attentions turned primarily to the Europa League, with a 3-1 aggregate victory over Manchester United in the round of 16 helping them on their way.
April brought Klopp’s best night as Liverpool manager so far, with a late header from Dejan Lovren securing an incredible 4-3 win over Dortmund in the quarter-finals of the tournament, before the Reds vanquished Villarreal in the next stage.
It wasn’t to be in the final, however, with Sevilla emerging victorious—Klopp experiencing the second final defeat of his Liverpool reign.
Work began in earnest during the off-season, with seven new signings, a plethora of backroom changes and an intensive training regime that saw the German oversee triple sessions, in preparation for his first full campaign as Reds manager.
The 2016/17 season has begun well, with Klopp overseeing five wins, a draw and a loss in the Premier League, including victories in both outings at the newly redeveloped Anfield so far.
Liverpool supporters can look forward to many more great days to come, with Klopp’s first year marking just the start of what looks to be a long and successful tenure on Merseyside.
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