Liverpool FC – Five wins for Klopp?

“Five wins?” I hear you say. “What’s he talking about!?”  Well I’m not talking about match results this is clear. Football is a results game as we all know, but there are results, wins, which are not just over 90 minutes. 

What I’m referring to is the winning back of five players who would probably have left, or be on their way out of the club had Jürgen Klopp not taken over. These guys would no doubt have been either consigned to the odd cup game here or there – probably out of position, been sent out on loan or simply sold cheaply for the benefit of a rival. Here, we’re going to look at five wins where Brendan Rodgers simply lost which, ultimately led to his demise. 

Emre Can

A different player now he’s plying his trade under Klopp. Most observers of Liverpool FC would have noticed the boy has talent but, playing at center or right back never really showcased Said Talent. There were games where the 21 year-old did excel as one of a three-man central defence, most notably last season where his efforts went some way to preventing a poor season becoming a disaster. Having started this season in his preferred midfield role, he was used primarily as a defensive midfielder earlier in the season and very rarely making the kind of fowrard runs which have been a notable part of his game since his compatriots installation as manager. Now a firm fixture in the first team whereas erstwhile he’d probably have been dropped in preference to Joe Allen. 

Lucas Leiva

The Brazilian has endured no end of speculation over his future during his time at Liverpool, not least since the end of last season. With a loan move to Besiktas almost rubber stamped, Rodgers made a u-turn and included the 28 year-old in the squad to face Arsenal earlier this season. After excluding him completely from the squad for the opening two games of the season, his performance against the Gooners helped toward arguably the best performance from Rodgers’ team, after two, at best ropey, opening displays. Needless to say, the Brazilian’s influence since meant he has been an ever-present. Under the new management, Lucas has emerged as an integral part of the midfield. 

Roberto Firmino

Having joined the Reds over the summer for a hefty £29m much was expected of the ex TSG 1899 Hoffenheim attacker. Needless to say, time would undoubted be needed to settle. However, this wasn’t helped by being played out of position as a right sided forward, most notably in the Manchester United game where he was virtually lost. Since his return from a back injury against Ruben Kazan, the 24 year-old has gradually come to terms with his new club under the guidance of the new management with his best display coming in the 1-0 Capital One cup win over Bournemouth. In the process booking himself a certain start in the following match against reigning champions Chelsea where he put on another noteworthy display. 

João Teixeira 

Perhaps a surprise inclusion but let’s not forget that unlike the other youngsters that played in the cup game against Bournemouth, the Portuguese U21 international has been on the fringes of the first team since joining from Sporting Lisbon in 2012. Having made his first team debut in 2014 against Fulham following a pointless loan spell at Brentford, he was simply sent back out on loan to Brighton & Hove Albion. So, to play a part in the Bournemouth game and put in a stand out performance of vision and skill was nothing short of deserved and by no means a surprise. It’s very likely we’ll see more of him as the season goes on. 

Mamadou Sakho

Last but by no means least. A bit like leaving that little bit of Yorkshire pudding on you plate until the end, just so you can mop up the gravy! Since joining the club from Paris St. Germain in 2013 for a reported fee of £12m the 25 year-old Parisian is a shining example of what talent can be identified by the famed Transfer Committee. In the sacking of Rodgers, a shining example of what happens if these players are ignored in preference of sub-standard impulse buys at twice the price. Step forward Dejan Lovren. Since Klopp has taken the hot seat at Liverpool, Sakho’s inclusion has simply served to underline what a huge mistake the ex-manager made in continually overlooking him. His rock solid performances alongside Martin Skrtel have been one of the pivotal reasons for the team’s resurgence under Klopp. OK they haven’t been without the odd blemish, but they are now beginning to build a good understanding and consistency between them. 

The LFC File contended back in August that the then manager would be sacked by Christmas if he continued with his brainless selection of Lovren who by any footballing brain, is far inferior. It was no coincidence that Liverpool enjoyed their best run of form last season when Sakho was paired with Skrtel between the new year up until his injury toward the end of the season. And as all good teachings say… And so it came to pass that… 

So, not five victories in terms of match results but victories none the less. Time and time again managers insist on either playing rubbish acquisitions and ignoring obvious choices only to live to regret it later on. Unfortunately for Rodgers, as likes le as he is and hats off for that 2013/14 season, he joins this long and no doubt continually growing list. Klopp on the other hand has joined a similar list of those benefitting. 

Needless to say, the German will need to make reinforcements. However, I doubt very much this will be the eight or nine players brought in each close season under the previous regime and this will be a huge sigh of relief to supporters, the team and not to mention the Chief Financial Officer Andy Hughes. 

Lastly, Klopp voicing his concern over the club’s addiction to loaning out it’s best prospects is music to my ears and to many others. I’m sure Andre Wisdom and Lazar Marković would count among them. The club is sitting on an embarrassment of talented young riches, as well as the established ones. It’s nice to see them actually being utilized instead of being continually spoken about but kept in the cupboard like family silver. 

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