Since the start of the season it’s been a roller coaster journey for Liverpool Football Club. Brendan Rodgers had a horror start of the campaign. Liverpool carried their depleted form in the league from last season and they started the campaign as they ended the last time around where they were humiliated 6-1 at Stoke City.
And to complete the misery it was Steven Gerrard’s
(who is arguably the greatest ever player to play for Liverpool) last game in a
Red shirt. He actually scored in that game. Shock and faces of despair arose as
Liverpool carried their shocking form in the start of the new season.
The team was heading
nowhere and questions were asked about Brendan Rodger’s job. He had no answer
to the criticism he received and fans very getting worried about yet another
season going to waste. On 4th October 2015 he was finally released
by the club owners. A new chapter was about to start in Liverpool Football
Club’s history. Jurgen Klopp was appointed as the manager on 8th of
October just 4 days after the sacking of Rodgers. Many claim that the sacking
of Rodgers was at the wrong time and he should’ve been sacked way before the
start of the season. Nevertheless, Klopp took over and everyone was
emphatic about his inclusion. He was
known as a very passionate and a desirous manager in his Mainz and Dortmund
days. He is well known for his astonishing connection with the players and the fans. He grinds out the
best in his players and is right up there with the likes of Mourinho,
Guardiola, Wenger etc. Liverpool fans knew there were exciting times ahead but
there was some work to be done. Rodgers left the squad with no confidence and
ambition whatsoever. The change of attitude in players was much needed to bring
the best out of them and give satisfying results as a team.
Klopp’s appointment sent a sigh of relief to majority of the
fans. His connection with the fans and his amazing passion for the game can
only be match with the passion and loyalty of Liverpool fans. It is a match
made in heaven. Fans have been waiting for so long for someone to deliver the
Premier League title for Liverpool. It was Rafael Benitez who came the closest
to the League glory and Rodgers as well. Liverpool played immensely great on
the big occasions like in the champions league fixtures and big league games
with Chelsea and Man United. Rodgers failed to deliver in Europe.
Jurgen Klopp’s appointment was a blessing for a club like
Liverpool who are rich in history yet underachieving in the modern era. They
needed someone of his stature to build a team which will give happiness as well
as glory to the loyal fans. Players like Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana, Joe Allen,
Lucas and Mignolet were criticized and fans wanted them to leave the club for
good. Klopp’s appointment changed the whole complexion of the squad. The
players who were low on confidence delivered when it mattered. There were
questions asked about James Milner being the captain of the club in Henderson’s
absence. He was bought on a free transfer from city and was made the vice
captain by Rodgers. There was tremendous pressure on his shoulders. He took his
time but then settled in the squad quite nicely and played a crucial role in
some of the big games they played under Klopp.
The two most difficult fixtures of the season for any team
were the away fixtures to Man City and Chelsea. Liverpool went to Stamford
Bridge and literally stunned the defending champions winning 3-1 with a brace
from Coutinho and a goal from Benteke. Few weeks after that they had another
big game against City at the Etihad where they literally destroyed Manchester
City with one of the most breathtaking performances of the season by a
visiting side. Jurgen Klopp’s men set
the trend to deliver on big occasions and same happened in Europe where they
were ready to face their fiercest rivals Manchester United in the round of 16.
Goals from Firmino and Sturridge led to a 2 goal advantage in the second leg
where Coutinho’s marvelous chip to De Gea stunned the Old Trafford faithful and
Liverpool cruised through to the quarterfinal where they were set to face the
tournament favorites and Jurgen Klopp’s former team Borussia Dortmund. This
fixture had everything in the build up. It was set to be an emotional return
for Jurgen Klopp. Liverpool went to Dortmund for first leg where they played
really well and held Borussia Dortmund to a 1-1 draw.
The stage was set at Anfield as a memorable European night
was about to take place. Liverpool were blown away in the first 10 minutes of
the game where BVB took a 2 goal lead thanks to Mkhitaryan and Aubemayang.
Anfield was stunned by the performance. They were leading 3-1 on aggregate now
with 2 away goals. Liverpool had to win the game somehow to go through to the
semis and the stage was set in the second half for a thrilling European contest
between two giants. Origi gave some hope as he scored at the Kop end. The score
was 3-2 in in favor of BVB and to make it worse, Marco Reus scored at the other
end to make it 3-1 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate. Now Liverpool needed 3
goals from somewhere to clinch the place in the semis and it looked impossible.
The crowd got behind them just as they did at Istanbul more than a decade ago.
If somehow Liverpool manages to win the game this would go right up there with
the famous Istanbul comeback.
Coutinho started the comeback with a stunning goal at the far
bottom corner from outside the box to give
Liverpool some hope. Just before the
80th Minute Mama Sakho headed in from close range to make it 3-3 and
4-4 on aggregate but BVB were still ahead on away goals rule. Now it got the
crowd on it’s feet for the last 10 minutes of the game. And the moment came in
the stoppage time where Sturridge played a nutmeg pass to Milner who delivered an
amazing cross from right flank and Dejan Lovren of all people jumped the
highest and headed in the winnig goal for the Reds in front of the Kop. The
roar was too big that even the disabled Liverpool fans at the Kop end sitting
in wheelchairs were brought to there feet to enjoy a memorable comeback. This
is what Jurgen Klopp injected to this Liverpool side. The heart to play for the
club. The intention of not giving up at any cost. Liverpool players made
history.
Villareal was the team ready to face Liverpool in the semi
final. They produced some great performances against the big sides of Spain. At
the other hand Liverpool came all guns blazing and were most probably the
favorites to win the game. It was a tough ask for Klopp’s men. First leg was
played in Villareal and both teams played very well but it was the home side
who took advantage in the last minute and went on to win the first leg 1-0. This
was Liverpool’s first defeat in Europe this season.
The return leg was played at Anfield and as expected it
turned out to be yet another famous European night and Liverpool cruised
through a 3-0 win. Sturridge and Lallana got on the score sheet and opening
goal being an own goal. It was expected, everyone saw this performance coming.
Klopp has injected passion and energy to this squad. But the question is that
can they go all the way through and end their trophy drought. It is the biggest
opportunity and we know Liverpool and Klopp are capable to deliver the trophy. “You’ll
Never Walk Alone”.
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