This month marks six years since Jürgen Klopp arrived in England. The former Borussia Dortmund manager had enjoyed great success in Germany before coming to Merseyside, where he has revolutionised Liverpool from the nearly men under Brendan Rodgers to a mainstay in the English Premier League winner odds, having won a Champions League and a league title as well as the Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
It wasn’t always so easy for Klopp though, he inherited a side miles off the pace, with Premier League predictions suggesting they would finish mid-table. A lot has changed in the time since, with his starting eleven in a goalless draw against Tottenham enjoying different career paths — here is how they ended up.
Goalkeeper – Simon Mignolet
After years of fighting for his spot as the no. 1, Simon Mignolet left Liverpool in 2019 for his homeland of Belgium, joining Club Brugge, where he was recently involved in a 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain — playing a big role in keeping the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé at bay.
Right Back – Nathaniel Clyne
Injuries plagued Nathaniel Clyne’s time at Liverpool. Having been a stalwart in the early days of Klopp’s tenure, a long-term injury ruled Clyne out for over a year, forcing the progression of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who never let go of the right back spot. Now Clyne plies his trade for Crystal Palace, acting as a backup to provide some experience to Patrick Viera’s young side.
Centre Back – Martin Škrtel
The big Slovakian departed Anfield that summer after an alleged falling out with Klopp. He lost his place in his side at the turn of the year to Kolo Touré before a move to Fenerbahçe and a 30-day spell at Atalanta — he now plays in the Czech Republic for FC Spartak Trnava
Centre Back – Mamadou Sakho
Something of a cult hero at Liverpool, Sakho always played for ‘The Liverpool Country’ but attitude problems and a ban for taking fat burners meant he was shipped on to Crystal Palace. He was released from Selhurst Park this summer and now plays for Montpellier in Ligue 1.
Left Back – Alberto Moreno
After a comedy of errors cost his side in the Europa League final against his former side Sevilla, this was the Spaniards last season as a regular at left back. Moreno would stick around in Merseyside for another three years, picking up a Champions League medal before joining Villarreal, where he won last year’s Europa League.
Centre Midfield – Emre Can
A popular figure during his time at Anfield, Emre Can always had massive potential and the appointment of Klopp really aided his development. However, at the end of his contract and given the chance to join a consistent Champions League outfit in Juventus he departed. But after just 18 months in Turin, some disagreements with his minutes led to a loan move to Borussia Dortmund, which became permanent the following summer.
Centre Midfield – Lucas Leiva
This was the Brazilians ninth year as a Red and one where he was integral to the side after injuries sidelined Jordan Henderson for most of the year. Lucas was a big part of the dressing room before leaving the following season to join Lazio, where he remains today having won the Copa Italia.
Right Midfield – James Milner
Mr. reliable. James Milner has played almost every position since his Liverpool arrival in 2015. Signed by Brendan Rodgers on a free, it proved to be a savvy piece of business as Milner is still at the club today, having made over 500 league appearances in a career that doesn’t look like ending any time soon.
Left Midfield – Phillipe Coutinho
The little magician broke the hearts of many Liverpool fans when he secured a dream move to Barcelona at the start of 2018. The Brazilian was truly world class in his final months at Anfield but struggled to adapt at the Camp Nou, being shipped on loan to Bayern where he won a treble. He is now back at Barça, but with their recent financial troubles, his future, like many, is uncertain.
Attacking Midfield – Adam Lallana
At the time Lallana was one of the most dependable players for Klopp, his versatility across the midfield helped the Reds reach the Europa league final and then a fourth-place finish in the league the following season. However, injuries restricted Lallana to just a handful of appearances in his last season, although he scored an important equaliser at Old Trafford in their title winning season. He joined Brighton last season at the end of his contract.
Striker – Divock Origi
Described by his current team mates as a legend, Divock Origi’s name will always be etched in Liverpool folklore. Still at the club to this day, the Belgian was hugely important in Klopp’s first side in 2016 before a loan to Wolfsburg almost wrote him off as an Anfield regular. Not one to face rejection, Origi enjoyed a renaissance period in 2019, scoring integral goals in the semi-final and final of the Champions League as Liverpool won the title in 2019.