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Grading Jurgen Klopp on Liverpool’s 2015/16 Season
- Updated: May 26, 2016
Jurgen Klopp arrived as manager of Liverpool in October amid a swirl of anticipation, joining the Reds following a successful seven-year spell in charge of Borussia Dortmund, ending his sabbatical for the opportunity to manage in the Premier League
“From doubter to believer,” came his initial mission statement, delivered during an emphatic opening interview with LFCTV, and picking up the pieces from Brendan Rodgers’ ultimately failed reign, this was a major challenge.
When Fenway Sports Group cast Rodgers aside following Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Merseyside rivals Everton at the beginning of October—just 11 games into the season—the Ulsterman’s squad was one far removed from that which challenged so admirably for the Premier League title in 2013/14.
Gone were some of its key players in Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling and Luis Suarez, and in came a group of new faces, with £32.5 million striker Christian Benteke at the forefront of a flurry of summer activity.
Liverpool finished the season eighth in the Premier League, with defeat in both the UEFA Europa League final and the Capital One Cup final, but how should Klopp be assessed for his role in the 2015/16 campaign?
Here we analyse the German’s influence, on results and on the club as a whole, providing a grade for his first months in charge on Merseyside.
Klopp holds a reputation as one of Europe’s most charismatic managers, but also one of its most fearsome.
This became abundantly clear from the offset on Merseyside, and Klopp’s introduction has served as a breath of fresh air within the landscape of the Premier League: unapologetic in his candour.
Sitting in the German’s presence for post-match press conferences, reporters have become familiar with his trademark fury, most notably in criticising an opening question focussing solely on Daniel Sturridge after April’s 2-1 win away to Bournemouth.
Furthermore, after his side’s final game of the league campaign, a 1-1 draw away to West Bromwich Albion, Klopp sat bemused as a reporter repeatedly asked whether he feared retribution from the Premier League for fielding a rotated lineup.
His rotation in the final months of the season and his approach to Sturridge’s varying fitness serve as two salient examples of his managerial …
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