Jurgen Klopp has coached plenty of great players during his time as Liverpool manager, but who makes up the manager’s best players’ squad?
With Klopp’s time on Merseyside now coming to an end, we felt it was a fitting time to sit down and discuss who would make a squad made up of his best players.
Here’s what we came up with…
Goalkeeper – Alisson
Performances under Klopp: 263
Best moment: Throw-in between the defense against Napoli and a header at West Brom.
To begin with, talk about nonsense!
Alisson is not only the star goalkeeper of the Klopp era, he is now arguably the greatest in Liverpool’s history.
With Klopp having to make do with flawed options such as Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius, the Brazilian’s impact was immediate and proved to be the final piece of the puzzle for success in the Champions League and Premier League.
There’s still no better goalkeeper on the planet than Alisson – he even scores the odd goal for good measure!
Right back – Trent Alexander-Arnold
Performances under Klopp: 310
Best moment: That assist for Divock Origi at home against Barcelona.
Under Klopp, Trent Alexander-Arnold has developed from a teenage starlet to the most creative defender of his generation.
The boyhood Liverpool supporter was a joy to watch with his passing range and crossing expertise, and his assist against Barcelona will remain one forever.
At 25, Trent is hopefully approaching the prime of his career, and will always have Klopp to thank for developing him so much as a player.
Central defender – Joel Matip
Performances under Klopp: 201
Best moment: Assist for Divock Origi in the 2019 Champions League final.
Joel Matip has been one of the most popular characters in the dressing room under Klopp, but his footballing ability should not be overlooked.
The 32-year-old has been a strong contender for the 2019 Champions League final and has always been a great foil for Virgil van Dijk.
Without injury, his legendary status would be even more secure.
Center back – Virgil van Dijk
Performances under Klopp: 270
Best moment: A League Cup winner against Chelsea or a debut home goal for Everton.
Van Dijk has a strong case for being the biggest and most important signing Klopp has ever made at Liverpool.
While £75 million seemed like a lot of money at the time, the Dutchman proved invaluable during his time at Anfield, instantly taking the team to a new level.
Van Dijk is one of the best centre-backs of all time, and he still has a lot of life left in him.
Left back – Andy Robertson
Performances under Klopp: 297
Best moment: The key tie at Aston Villa in the 2019/20 season.
Trent will often stand out as the most exciting full-back under Klopp, but Andy Robertson’s place as Liverpool’s big man is also undisputed.
The Scot has more assists (59) than any defender in Premier League history – Trent is one behind him – and his defensive struggle and winning mentality have always shone through.
Has there been a better left-back in Liverpool or Premier League history?
That is debatable.
Defensive midfield – Fabinho
Performances under Klopp: 219
Best moment: Stunning at home to Man City in 2019/20.
Alisson and Van Dijk will always be seen as the changed the game under Klopp, but Fabinho also made a monumental difference.
The Brazilian was a master in the number 6 role, proving as influential as Rodri at his peak, and his nickname ‘the lighthouse’ was fully justified.
Don’t let his poor final season make you forget that he was a world-class performer for four years.
Central Midfield – Jordan Henderson
Performances under Klopp: 304
Best moment: Lifting the Champions League and Premier League trophies.
There have been more talented midfielders for Liverpool in the Klopp era, from Thiago to Alexis Mac Allister, but Jordan Henderson has to be included.
Only four players have appeared more than once with the German as manager, and he was a legendary captain, lifting the Champions League and the Premier League, among many other trophies.
At his peak, Henderson was an exceptional player in his own right, providing industry off the ball and underrated quality on it.
Central midfield – Gini Wijnaldum
Performances under Klopp: 237
Best moment: Header against Barcelona to make it 3-0 tonight.
Was there a player more missed than Gini Wijnaldum at Liverpool during the Klopp years?
The Dutchman was a glue-like character, proving resilient to pressure both physically as well as impeccable tactically.
There were times when Wijnaldum could be quiet in games, but his overall impact was huge and Liverpool never fully replaced him.
Right Forward – Mohamed Salah
Performances under Klopp: 349
Best moment: where to start? Probably a key blow to Man City in the Champions League.
The fact that Mohamed Salah is now one of Liverpool’s three greatest ever players, alongside Sir Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard, tells you everything you need to know.
The Egyptian king has been a prodigious source of goals, scoring 211 goals in 349 appearances, and could still make the Premier League’s best XI right now.
No-one expected Chelsea’s supposed flop to achieve what it has, but Salah’s ability and mentality have suited everyone since 2017.
As a true icon who carries himself with class, finding a successor will be almost impossible.
Left striker – Sadio Mane
Performances under Klopp: 269
Best moment: The last header away to Aston Villa in the 2019/20 season.
It’s easy to forget how good Sadio Mane was from the start when he arrived at Liverpool in 2016, giving the entire attack a new dimension.
In the seven years that followed, the Senegalese legend was a world-class player who combined pace, power, end product and fight.
Mane was also Liverpool’s star player in the 2019/20 title-winning season, and 158 goals (120 goals and 38 assists) in 269 appearances is a fantastic return.
Forward – Roberto Firmino
Performances under Klopp: 355
Best moment: Goal against Flamengo to clinch Club World Cup glory.
There is a strong argument to be made that Roberto Firmino is the most popular and unique player Klopp has ever managed at Liverpool.
A charismatic genius in the false nine role, the Brazilian was the perfect foil for Salah and Mane, dropping deep, creating space for them and working tirelessly for the team.
His fellow strikers often received more love from the wider footballing public, as did Alisson and Van Dijk, but no player was more integral in their prime.
Firmino has played more times (355) under Klopp than any other player in his managerial career, which speaks volumes.
Praises: Joe Gomez, James Milner, Philippe Coutinho, Diogo Jota.
