Liverpool: It was an evening confirming why Liverpool chose so well with Jurgen Klopp. It was also an evening confirming why Jurgen Klopp chose so well with Liverpool.
A blending of emotional volatility and immense talent, harnessed to such potency even the most luminous opponent is dimmed.
The manner of victory over Manchester City was The Kop fantasy when Klopp was lured from holiday 30 months ago, why supporters tracked his flight path from Germany and — in their own minds — lined the streets of Anfield as his vehicle made its first passage through the Shankly Gates.
Admirers often ask what is Liverpool’s secret. How is it they regularly generate such nights, even during relatively barren periods in their history?
Liverpool thrive with synergy between the manager and The Kop, when the ghosts of the past are deployed to terrorise opponents rather than undermine the hosts. The man in charge has to be more than a tactician. He must respect nostalgia with a modern twist, must be the embodiment of the values of the supporters in order to galvanise them, to make them trust, listen and believe every proclamation worthy of inclusion on the next banner.
Klopp’s attitude and success energising Borussia Dortmund made him the perfect fit and he presumed Anfield would be this way, although there must have been some concerns in his early months. The stadium was going through a period of sedation when he made his first outing against Southampton in October, 2015, and is often still too quiet for mid-table visitors.
The Europa League run of 2016 brought reassurance. Klopp said the scenes around the comeback against Dortmund that season eclipsed experiences in Germany. “Wait until you get this team in the Champions League knockout stage then,” was the response.
He was astutely restrained in the post-match appraisal after the City win, but should his side complete the job he will have another meaningful reference point for future fixtures on this scale.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash with Everton, Liverpool are a major club like no other. There is pressure, but no imposing deadline for success. At any other grand institution worthy of Klopp’s wisdom — Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich — the idea you could go three years without a trophy and still have boardroom and fans desperate for you to hang around for (at least) another four is inconceivable.
Klopp will go another season without the Premier League title, but there is recognition for how far he has taken the team.
Should Liverpool win the Champions League, despite the considerable investment in the team and plentiful resources at Klopp’s disposal, it will be perceived as defying the odds against superpowers more accustomed to recent success.
Where else in world football could Klopp have this? Especially when he looks at Antonio Conte, on the verge of losing his job a year after winning the title. Or Jose Mourinho, admired but broadly unloved even in his own arena(s).
There is a lingering suspicion that Bayern have not given up on Klopp.
That they are yet to confirm who will be in charge at The Allianz next season because they have privately sent feelers in his direction to such extent his own representative issued what could be interpreted as the kind of ‘we’re flattered, it’s not the right time, but keep in touch’ message once sent to Fenway Sports Group before Brendan Rodgers was appointed.
Klopp has said it will be a while longer before German fans are scrutinising the trajectory of his flight home.
The most thrilling aspect of Liverpool’s win was not just the proof of how far Klopp has already led his club, but the feeling there is so much further to go.
