Myles Stedman
The football world was sent into a frenzy last week when supercoach Jürgen Klopp was announced as the new manager of Liverpool FC.
The charismatic German had taken a short sabbatical from the manager's chair after he and Borussia Dortmund parted ways at the end of last year, after a less than successful season.
The appointment of Klopp, a noted man manager, player developer and master tactician, received universal praise from the footballing community, so much so that deadly Liverpool enemy Sir Alex Ferguson said he was “worried” for his former club Manchester United.
But is this appointment really the one to right the slowly sinking Liverpool ship, or were the Merseyside outfit merely “peer pressured” by the football galaxy into signing Klopp?
Will Liverpool be getting the Jürgen Klopp of 2014-15, or of the years prior?
Let's start by judging what we already can – Klopp's first press conference as Liverpool's top man.
One thing immediately stands out that The Reds have lacked in a long, long time – certainly before the days of Brendan Rodgers.
The man has charisma. He is endearing.
This very quality alone is half the reason The Kop has been so keen on Klopp since day one of speculation.
That he is such a polar opposite to the mundane, cliché-ridden ramblings and lack of personality of Brendan Rodgers is a relief for Koppites.
He even went as far as poking fun at a new rival colleague, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, anointing himself “The Normal One” in his first press conference. Of course, to the howling laughter of the Liverpool media.
But this runs deeper than just being the media darling that we know Klopp is.
Half the reason Rodgers got the boot, just 18 months or so after finishing second in the league, is because he had lost the players.
Fair or not, this is the kiss of death for any manager, coach or boss in any sport, or any faculty of life. You cannot be a leader if you cannot lead.
The confidence and borderline cockiness that Klopp brings, in such heavy contrast to the previous boss, should alone have the players shot with a jolt of enthusiasm and belief in not only their own ability, but in Liverpool Football Club.
In his press conference at Anfield, Klopp lead us to believe that this very message of believing in your ability, and surpassing oneself, would be his first message to the playing group.
“We have to change from doubter to believer” he said.
This self-belief is essential to the lightning transition style of football that Klopp insists of his sides.
Quizzed on how Liverpool would play under his rule, Klopp says “the wild one,” and promised “very emotional football”.
“History is only the base for us. You can carry it in your backpack every day”.
"This is a great club with big potential, fast players, strong players, good defenders. Everything is there (for success)," Klopp said.
He is not wrong. The pieces are there for Klopp to implement his footballing philosophies on the team.
Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno are both fast, methodical and offensive-minded defenders, capable of fitting into the counter-attacking football that Klopp deals in.
Emre Can, Jordan Henderson and James Milner can all fill in roles in Klopp's box-to-box midfield philosophy.
Brazilians Coutinho and Firmino can also both fill the role of the wide men that Klopp employs – wingers that are hard working both up-and-down – although he may prefer to use one of them as his number 10.
The big test will be how he can get Christian Benteke and Daniel Sturridge working together up top.
Both players are extremely talented and can find the back of the net and it will be interesting to see whether Klopp chooses to go with 4-4-2, or chooses to sit one and stick with his 4-2-3-1 style.
Of course, there is a lot more to worry about. How will he use his funds? Who will be sold?
But of what we can already see and hear from Jürgen Klopp, is that he has the charm, the tactical nous, a decent squad and funds at his disposal.
But did Liverpool make the right decision employing arguably the best or second-best manager on the market? It's hard to argue against.
