Klopp delivers final proof that he's taking Liverpool back to greatness
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 15/04/2016 at 07:13 GMT
Paul Hassall was at Anfield to witness another famous European night for Liverpool and reiterate his belief that Jurgen Klopp is on the right track to re-establish the Reds as a force to be reckoned with.
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager
Image credit: Reuters
"We have to change from doubter to believer. Now."
The final words of Jurgen Klopp's first interview as Liverpool manager resonated on a subconscious level throughout the L4 air. They were evident in all four corners of the ground in what felt like pure cinematic splendour as the German wrote his first chapter in the famous annals of Anfield's great European occasions.
Just days after marking the milestone of six months in the job, Klopp oversaw an unrivalled high point as the Merseysiders produced an incredible comeback to defeat Borussia Dortmund 4-3 and somehow progress to the semi finals of the Europa League.
It was against all the odds, but then Liverpool have previous when it comes to miraculous recoveries on the European stage. Just ask AC Milan.
The Reds' history is littered with success born out of precarious scenarios. But there's no doubt belief had been lost in the latter stages of Brendan Rodgers's tenure. Some supporters were even ready to write off the season in late September, such was the growing feeling of discontent.
The 'belief' Klopp had hoped to instil again has been occasionally bubbling to the surface since his October arrival and it was tangible against Dortmund. As Klopp later put it: "You could feel it, hear it and smell it in the stadium."
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2016/04/14/1836383-38724891-2560-1440.jpg)
Liverpool players celebrate with the fans after winning the match
Image credit: Reuters
Kopites have long since signed up as Kloppites, but it isn't just Scousers subscribing to his mantra now. The shockwaves from this result will be felt across Europe. Klopp is slowly transforming Liverpool and the football world will be beginning to take note.
It's not been an easy ride by any stretch of the imagination and there will be more bumps ahead. The former Dortmund coach admitted as much in his post-match press conference, suggesting the contest summed up the peaks and troughs of a 'very difficult' half a year with Liverpool.
There is clearly much work to be done. This Reds side still have the flaws they had before this seven-goal thriller. It's what makes them so wonderfully unpredictable for the neutral and at times all too exasperating for the more subjective.
[BEST TWEETS: ‘Origi on form. Goodbye Benteke’]
Klopp's revolution will undoubtedly gather pace in the summer months when he can add his own players to the group he inherited, but this incredible fightback against what many perceive as one of the best sides in Europe was further proof, if needed, that the Merseysiders are going places under their unique manager.
The German is a whirlwind of energy on the touchline, his raw emotion and captivating presence very much the physical embodiment of the power transmitted by the crowd on a European night in L4. The supporters seemed to feed off his reactions, relishing the sight of a manager expressing a passion that marks him out as a kindred spirit. Klopp has seamlessly woven himself into the very fabric of the club. He just simply 'gets' LFC.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2016/04/15/1836434-38725911-2560-1440.jpg)
Klopp: There's a moment in life where you had to show character - that's what the lads did
The fact such a sensational 90 minutes of football saw him triumph against his former club, a place where he remains rightly adored, merely added to the drama.
So often Liverpool race out of the traps under the Anfield floodlights, but this time it was Dortmund who gave a cameo of the type of fast-paced, pressing football that helped forge Klopp's reputation as one of the game's 'super coaches.' The Reds found themselves 2-0 down inside nine minutes. They looked dead and buried and yet they kept that belief.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2016/04/14/1836323-38723691-2560-1440.jpg)
FC Liverpool - Borussia Dortmund
Image credit: AFP
Back in November, Klopp was perplexed as supporters left in their droves when Liverpool conceded an 82nd minute goal that saw them lose 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace. He admitted he felt 'pretty alone' as fans flocked to the exits with plenty of time to recover, but insisted it was for him and his players to instil a belief in the crowd that a comeback is always possible.
Slowly but surely that has been achieved.
Not even the blow of seeing Dortmund respond to Divock Origi's early second-half strike with a third goal had supporters edging towards an early departure.
Liverpool needed three more without reply on the night to progress. It was almost inconceivable and yet the Reds somehow produced a result that had echoes of the miracle of Istanbul in 2005.
[RETROSPECTIVE: Liverpool's greatest comebacks]
As BVB coach, Thomas Tuchel put it: "If you expect an explanation, I probably have to disappoint you. An explanation means things are logical or tactical, or at least in moments where you see a game goes to the other side. None of this happened. We had a great reaction on the first goal from Liverpool when we scored a third one. But with the equaliser there was an atmosphere where everyone but our supporters believed that it was meant to be."
This was a Dortmund side that had wiped the floor with a Tottenham team 17 points clear of the Reds and still vying for the Premier League title. They started like a juggernaut but in the end they were undone by Anfield's mystique and their opponent's never-say-die mentality.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2016/04/14/1836375-38724731-2560-1440.jpg)
Liverpool's French defender Mamadou Sakho (R) celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Europa league quarter-final second leg football match between Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund at Anfield stadium in Liverpool on April 14, 2016.
Image credit: AFP
Die Borussen have enjoyed a fantastic first campaign under Tuchel and have deservedly been lauded as one of the most impressive attacking sides on the continent. It looked like they were all set to teach their old boss a lesson, but at the final whistle it was the Dortmund players and their heartbroken supporters who were left casting wistful glances at the man who had enjoyed six magical years out of seven at the Westfalenstadion.
When the dust settles they will remember just how much they have improved under Tuchel this term after growing stale under Klopp. Both parties needed a fresh start and they are each moving in a positive direction, but it would still have tugged at German heartstrings seeing their one-time leader revelling in his new home.
Klopp soaked it all up, joining his players in celebration, orchestrating the Kop choir and sending his soldiers to take a familiar bow that the tearful visiting crowd had seen him lead so often in front of the 'Yellow Wall'.
This was another indicator of the progress being made in L4 and Klopp's psychology at work. Opposition supporters had mocked the Reds boss and his players as they rejoiced in front of the Kop after rescuing a late draw against West Brom in December. It was a show of togetherness that had the desired effect inside Melwood and in the stands.
This time there will be no jokes. Fans of other clubs will look on ruefully. Players will do likewise. It's hard not to get caught up by the charm of Jurgen Klopp. He inspires a camaraderie and spirit only a rare few can nurture and it has moved his new side, in spite of their deficiencies, to within striking distance of securing silverware in his first campaign in England.
The Reds have dumped the favourites out of the competition and are now just three games away from ending what looked like being a season of transition with another European trophy. If they can pull it off the added bonus of qualification for the Champions League would leave few doubting that Liverpool are a club on the rise under the charismatic German.
"We need an experience like this to grow together. Now we have a milestone," Klopp told reporters. "I will not forget it. It's special. Now we have to carry on and try to do things like this more often."
Despite his self effacing description of himself as the 'normal one', Klopp's influence leans more towards the extraordinary and that suggests that with the right ingredients he can indeed inspire more results like this in the future.
His humility and respect for tradition at a club like Liverpool merely add to his appeal. But of course, even that has a typical Klopp twist. The German revealed that he has told his players NOT to touch the famous 'This is Anfield' sign until they win something as a mark of respect to the success achieved by the legends of the past.
It's another soundbite that will further enamour him to the fans - but don't expect that ban to last too long.
With Klopp at the helm it seems certain that, sooner or later, Liverpool's players will be tapping that sign once again.
It may not be following a final in Basel on May 18. It might take a little longer, but one thing is for sure, the belief is there six months in and you'll have to look very hard to find any of those doubters now.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article