How did almost nine years go by so quickly? As we say goodbye to a Liverpool legend, we thought it appropriate to take a look at what the club looked like when Jurgen Klopp arrived versus now.
In his first press conference, Klopp said: “It doesn’t matter what people think when you come in, it’s much more important what people think when you leave.”
It was popular then, now it’s a certified legend – a job well and truly done.
Klopp’s words, however, got us thinking about what the club was like when he arrived in 2015 and how he is leaving – the change is staggering…
Anfield
Significant improvements to the Main Stand and Anfield Road End saw Anfield transform from a capacity of 45,000 to 61,000.
“Outstanding, oh my god!” is how Klopp assessed Anfield after the new Anfield Road End was fully opened for the first time in February 2024.
Detachment
The manager did not inherit a team capable of challenging for silverware when he first arrived, yet he led the club to two finals in his first season before slowly transforming Liverpool back into domestic and European giants.
The stories of his squad’s evolution will reverberate long after he is gone.
Klopp’s first XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno; Can, Lucas; Milner, Coutinho, Lallana; Origi
Klopp’s final XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Mac Allister, Elliott; Wrong, Diaz, Gakpo
Polygon
From historic Melwood to the AXA Training Centre, the move was one of the most significant in the club’s history given its links to the iconic facility.
But it was a way to prepare for the future, Klopp said: “It’s not for me, that building, it’s for Liverpool Football Club for the next 500 years if you like.”
The value of the team
When Klopp arrived in 2015/16, he had to wait to add any players to the squad and at the time he moved to Melwood the team was valued at £320m.
Fast forward to the 2023/24 season, and the German outfit have increased in value by 158 per cent, with their squad worth £788m, according to Transfermarkt.
2015/16: 320 million pounds
2023/24: 788 million pounds
Wall of Champions
This is one we’ve been desperate to see change every season, and while it’s not always possible, we’ve had quite the upgrade under Jurgen!
When he first arrived, the club had 44 honours, and now the Wall of Champions honors 51.
Club value according to Forbes
Liverpool were far from a powerhouse when Klopp arrived, a club desperate for direction and a path to the top, with Forbes valuing the club he inherited at £788.7m.
Fast forward to 2023, and that value now exceeds £4 billion, an increase of more than 407 percent!
Club Value 2015: 788.7 million pounds
Club Value 2023: £4.3 billion
Trent Alexander-Arnold
“I’m a player who spent my whole career under a manager, so I didn’t know any different,” said Trent, the crazy achievement of a whole career under the tutelage of one man.
One man who gave the young Scouser a shot at his dreams and helped him become one of the world’s leading full-backs and a player who won the draw at just 23 years of age.
From academy player to his vice-captain, eight seasons in the first team, 310 appearances and six trophies later – time really does fly.
And Klopp himself!
Klopp exclaimed at the start of 2024: “If you look at the picture when I arrived here in 2015 and one today, you’d say, ‘Only 9 years?’
He was 48 years old when he became Liverpool manager, and he leaves at 56.
The work really takes its toll.