The German's decision to step down this summer is so surprising because he's laid the foundations for another period of sustained success
When Jurgen Klopp extended his Liverpool contract until 2026 less than two years ago, he rather fittingly talked of his relationship with the club and its supporters as if it were a love affair.
"The feeling we were absolutely right for each other is what brought me here in the first place," he explained in a lengthy statement that concluded with a reference to The Beatles-based chant with which the Kop serenaded him on a weekly basis.
"When the owners brought the possibility to renew to me, I asked myself the question I've mused over publicly: 'Do I have the energy and vibe to give of myself again what this amazing place requires from the person in the manager's office?' I didn't need too long to answer, in truth. The answer was very simple: I'm in love with here and I feel fine!"
Getty 'Running out of energy'
Things have obviously changed drastically in the interim. Klopp remains completely enamoured with the club but says he's now "running out of energy". As it turned out, going within two wins of a historic quadruple in 2022-23 didn't just mentally and physically drain Liverpool's players, who struggled for the majority of last season, it also took a heavy toll on their manager.
He didn't want to depart before putting the Reds back on track, though, and that's exactly what he's done, revamping and revitalising a Premier League-leading squad that is still fighting on all four fronts as February approaches.
Indeed, while Klopp's fatigue is wholly understandable, given his renowned work ethic and the way in which he commits himself so completely to a cause, the timing of his decision has come as such a surprise because Liverpool look perfectly placed to enjoy another era of sustained success under a charismatic leader that looked so focused and refreshed during the first half of the season.
AdvertisementGetty Quadruple hangover
Klopp has admitted that the 2022-23 campaign was "super-difficult", with a late-season rally not enough to secure Champions League football for a side packed with players suffering from a seriously heavy hangover after their heroic quadruple bid, and as he prepared to put things right, he found himself wondering how much longer he could go on.
The thing is, though, the growing concerns over Klopp's irritability last season dissipated during the early stages of the new season. There had been a fear that a high-octane coach who had spent seven seasons at his two previous clubs might be starting to feel the strain.
However, Klopp looked and sounded like his old self as Liverpool made a strong start to the current campaign – and no wonder, given it quickly became clear that the surgery he had been forced to carry out on his midfield had been an unmitigated success.
Getty Blessing in disguise
Klopp was desperately disappointed that Liverpool lost out on both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea during the summer – but it actually proved something of a blessing in disguise.
Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister, the players who have shared the No.6 role this season to excellent effect, were signed for a combined £51.2 million ($65m) – roughly the same amount Chelsea paid for Lavia, who has made just one Premier League appearance this season, and less than half the British-record fee (£115m/$146m) handed over to Brighton for the struggling Caicedo.
In addition, Ryan Gravenberch's potential is obvious even if he has only played in fits and starts, while Dominik Szoboszlai has been one of the signings of the season so far.
Liverpool may have lost a lot of experience when Fabinho and Jordan Henderson departed during the summer, but they've gained goals, dynamism and versatility, and the Reds' revamped midfield has been one of the key components in a surprise title challenge.
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GettyKids are more than alright
Homegrown talent has also played a pivotal role in that regard. Trent Alexander-Arnold's deployment as an auxiliary midfielder, which started during the tail end of last season, is proving a masterstroke, while Curtis Jones is finally delivering the kind of influential displays of which Klopp always believed him capable.
Harvey Elliott is also showing that he very much has it in him to become far more than a super-sub, and then there's the exciting young talents who are getting more and more game time, such as Bobby Clark and James McConnell, who capped a hugely impressive display against Norwich on Sunday with a lovely assist.
Let's not forget either that Stefan Bajcetic, who made such a massive impact in difficult circumstances last season, is approaching a return to action after injury issues connected to growing pains.
So, when one also factors the emergence of Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley as serious first-team options in defence, plus the excitement surrounding teenage attackers Ben Doak, Kaide Gordon, Trent Kone-Doherty, Lewis Koumas and Trey Nyoni, the future just looks so bright for Liverpool right now.