Jurgen Klopp's top 10 Liverpool players as curtain comes down on legendary Anfield career
The Reds boss will oversee his final match in charge of the club when Wolves come to Anfield on Sunday afternoon, and he's worked with some incredible players during his spell
Jurgen Klopp will take his seat in the Anfield dugout for the final time this Sunday, when his impending departure will suddenly seem real.
After nine years in charge which saw Liverpool finally end their wait for a Premier League title, become champions of Europe and pick up every other trophy Klopp took them into bar this season's Europa League, the German's time in charge will end as he steps down to be replaced by Arne Slot.
But who have been Klopp's key players during his spell Anfield? We've named his top 10 players here, and don't forget to give us yours in the comments section.
1 of 10 10. Gini Wijnaldum
The Dutchman was a signing that caught some off guard when he arrived from Newcastle in the summer of 2016. He'd been used in an attacking role at St James' Park, scoring 11 goals from midfield, but it was durability that impressed Reds staff the most as he played every league game. Stationed in deeper roles for Klopp he would go on to be Liverpool's Mr Reliable, not always hogging the limelight but often crucial. His Barcelona brace will be in club folklore forever.
(Image:NurPhoto via Getty Images)2 of 10 9. James Milner
When he signed for Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool in the summer of 2015 Milner had stated that he wanted to play in central midfield, but fast forward a year later to Klopp's first full season and he was the first choice left-back. Typically he never complained, at least not publicly, and Milner became Klopp's ultimate utility player and a substitute you could often turn to regardless of the match situation. A true Liverpool legend, he was key to the German's successes.
(Image:PA)3 of 10 8. Andy Robertson
There's an argument that the Scot is Klopp's best Liverpool signing pound for pound, with the £8m it cost to take him from Hull City in 2017 (as reserve midfielder Kevin Stewart went the other way for around half of that) having paid off in style. The rampaging runs of Robertson from left-back became such a key component of Klopp's Liverpool sides, and he's been a staple in all of the successes the Reds have achieved under him.
(Image:PA)4 of 10 7. Jordan Henderson
When he arrived at Liverpool Klopp had to look at the squad and decide which of the players in place were going to come along for the ride, and it was in Henderson that he put his trust. The Reds captain became the heartbeat and tempo setter for his side, and the leader who would set examples for others. Never the most stylish of players or captains, Klopp's Reds were always better with Henderson in the side, and in many ways his hard work came to represent the manager's ideals.
(Image:PA)
5 of 10 6. Trent Alexander-Arnold
It is one thing to trust a talent coming through your club's academy, but it is quite another to change his position purely to get him into the team. That is what Klopp did for Alexander-Arnold, and from the moment Nathaniel Clyne got injured at the start of the 2017-18 season the local lad has never really looked back. Debates over his best position may be a weekly occurrence, but there is never one over his quality.
(Image:Clive Brunskill/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)6 of 10 5. Roberto Firmino
When managers arrive at clubs and instantly tear things up to bring their own signings in then they should probably be reminded of the case of Klopp and Firmino. The Brazilian looked to be a square peg in a round hole under Rodgers, but he proved perfect in Klopp's system as the hard-working, silky false nine who made so much around him tick. A true Liverpool legend, Firmino was the smiling face of a successful era for the Reds.
(Image:Getty Images)7 of 10 4. Alisson
Sometimes you make signings that change everything, and for Klopp and Liverpool, Alisson Becker was one of those signings. The Brazilian goalkeeper had actually conceded five goals at Anfield when playing for Roma just a few months before making the move, but ever since the switch to Anfield he has established himself as one of the very best stoppers in world football, and none of Klopp's Liverpool successes would have been possible without him.
(Image:AFP via Getty Images)
8 of 10 3. Sadio Mane
Klopp’s first summer transfer window was always going to need a game changing signing, but at the time few thought it was going to be Mane. Indeed, there were plenty of scoffs at the £35m fee coughed up for the streaky Senegalese from Southampton, but the forward scored at Arsenal on his debut and very quickly became a hero to the fans. Solid as a rock and a fearless forward, Mane was key to all of Klopp’s successes and has earned himself a part in the conversation whenever the club’s greatest XI is discussed.
(Image:Getty Images)9 of 10 2. Virgil van Dijk
Six months before Alisson came the ultimate transformer in the form of Van Dijk, who wasn’t cheap at £75m but has certainly proved to be value for money. The Dutchman rose to become the best centre-back on the planet under Klopp’s tutelage, with wave after wave of attackers crashing off Liverpool’s rock en route to the Reds’ successes. Now the club captain following last summer’s departure of Henderson, it was Van Dijk's winning goal which won Klopp his final trophy in charge in the Carabao Cup final in February.
(Image:Kieran McManus/REX/Shutterstock)10 of 10 1. Mo Salah
Signed as a decent squad option and potential cover for Mane on the right, Salah has become Liverpool’s fifth highest goalscorer of all-time and is closing in on fourth spot. From day one his union with Klopp has been a special one, with Salah becoming one of the very best players on the planet under the German’s watch. Like his manager he’ll want to have picked up more honours to underline his ability, but his place among Liverpool’s greats is secured as he’s become the global symbol of his club.
(Image:AFP/Getty Images)