Jurgen Klopp’s best Liverpool XI features every starter in Champions League final win
Jurgen Klopp is walking away from Liverpool this weekend after a hell of a ride at Anfield, with half of his best XI still around to wave him off…
From his eight-and-a-half years in charge of the Reds, here’s his best side.
GK: Alisson
Appearances under Klopp: 262
Probably the best goalkeeper in the world during his time at Liverpool, Alisson completed Klopp’s puzzle at Anfield and is the biggest goalkeeping upgrade in Premier League history.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Appearances under Klopp: 309
Klopp hopped on the bandwagon last season by making Trent an inverted full-back and it has to be said there isn’t a player in the Premier League more suited to that role.
The German’s flying full-backs were a staple of his time at Anfield and Alexander-Arnold’s individual battle for assists with Andy Robertson brought the best out of the other.
CB: Joel Matip
Appearances under Klopp: 201
It was between Ibrahima Konate and Matip for this spot but the latter’s longevity gave him the edge. Playing a big part in winning the Premier League and Champions League helped a bit as well.
CB: Virgil van Dijk
Appearances under Klopp: 269
The greatest defender in Premier League history? Maybe. The greatest defender for Liverpool in the Premier League era? Definitely.
Van Dijk has lost 18 games for the Reds and only once at Anfield in the league. That’s just silly.
LB: Andy Robertson
Appearances under Klopp: 296
Mentioned already, Robertson is Klopp’s best value-for-money buy for Liverpool. At £7million, the Scotland captain was a steal.
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CM: Jordan Henderson
Appearances under Klopp: 304
Love him or loathe him, Henderson was a huge player for Liverpool and a great captain for Klopp.
CM: Fabinho
Appearances under Klopp: 219
Klopp’s time at Liverpool has included a few out-the-blue signings and Fabinho was the best of the bunch.
The Brazilian was a big part of AS Monaco’s Champions League semi-final run in 2017 and joined the Reds a year later, quickly establishing himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.
CM: Gini Wijnaldum
Appearances under Klopp: 237
While perhaps not the most talented midfield in the world, this trio simply worked under Klopp’s management.
Wijnaldum epitomises everything a Klopp midfielder should be and his inclusion was touch and go for a bit there, Clive. Philippe Coutinho, Thiago and James Milner all get honourable mentions.
RW: Mohamed Salah
Appearances under Klopp: 348
Salah has been an absolute monster under Klopp – who made him the Premier League winger Chelsea hoped they were signing in 2014.
211 goals and 89 assists in 348 appearances is an absolute joke of a return but it is not only his form in front of goal that should be saluted. Salah has always been available to play and is a top-class professional. Well, he was.
ST: Roberto Firmino
Appearances under Klopp: 355
What a superb player Firmino was at his best. He wasn’t the most emphatic of goalscorers but he helped take the two wizards on either side of him to a different level, linking the play as the best playmaking striker should do.
LW: Sadio Mane
Appearances under Klopp: 269
This guy was an emphatic goalscorer for Liverpool. He bagged 120 times under Klopp and completes the most iconic front three in the history of the Premier League.
In case you hadn’t noticed, this XI is the exact same team that started in the Champions League final win against Tottenham in 2019. We didn’t mean it but it makes sense.
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