Finding My Community

Community is quite possibly the biggest facet of the Internet era. Being able to connect to people all around the world, centred on a common denominator, has been an element of human nature since its inception; and the internet allowed an expansive, worldly feeling of community, not bound by physical space; instead bound by communication and interests. But what is an online community? What binds them together? Well, in my opinion, an online community is held together by any number of items of social currency. That is; ideas, beliefs, commonly held points of interest, or really anything which inspires unity or discussion. Sport, dogs, cooking, political views, anything that binds people together, they can be considered communities. An online community itself, is a collection of people connecting via a forum, social media platform, or other internet gathering device, holding common interests. They work together to communicate, pursues their interests, and generally create some form of content (opinions are a primary form of content.)

For example, an online community that I’ve participated in for a while; especially one that promotes content (sometimes to a negative extent) is Anfieldindex.com, and by extension Twitter. I say by extension because Twitter is the key promotion device used by the site; I as a weekly contributor; discussing all things Liverpool Football Club (one of the biggest sporting teams in the UK). Finding it was a slightly longer process; becoming a contributor to Twitter isn’t a difficult thing to do at all. Getting your voice to be heard, however, is a case of persistence and figuring out what’s meaningful in the community; as it is with lots of communities. After being on twitter for a few months, I decided to apply for a writing position at Anfield Index. Having had experience writing for other sporting sites before; especially about football, it was a good experience, I began writing, and it all came together. 11 months later; my articles were beginning to gain traction, and instigate discussion. Some of it would be agreement, others would be more negative comments disagreeing with my “ludicrous” opinion (that was actually in a tweet that responded to my article on twitter).

This is a perfect example of impressions and response within a community. Alberto Moreno is a player I like, and others dislike, for different reasons. I verbally illustrate my case for him, and others see it differently; as seen in the comments below the article.

The Case for Alberto Moreno

As a side note, the article itself got over 10,000 views, so not everyone in a community is actively contributing. Sure, they may go on to tweet their views at a later date, but I wouldn’t become aware of this unless they were following me. In this way, communities are only as active as the people within them choose to make their voice heard. Twitter is a perfect vehicle for putting an opinion out there and letting people decide whether they endorse it or not. Finally, as an example of how powerful the Twitter medium can be, there’s Twitter itself endorsing active discussion. For example, I put out a poll asking who the preferred striker should be for next season.

Pick a striker, any striker. Who've you got for the summer?

— Alex Barilaro (@Alex_Barra12) May 1, 2016

As you can see, the vote got over 1,500 votes. The replies instigated by it measured up to around a hundred, maybe a bit less. Online communities are driven by active voices, and Twitter is perfect for channelling thousands of voices into something effective.

German Steel: Liverpool’s Defensive Midfield – Part 2

Bundesliga Steel – Liverpool’s Defensive Midfield Search – Part Two

A week or so ago, this writer published his ideal choices for a midfielder, shopping outside of the Bundesliga (which can be found here). Here, encompassing the homeland of Liverpool’s new manager, are this writer’s four picks from the Bundesliga to strengthen Liverpool’s midfield, in part two of our search for a defensive midfielder.

Granit Xhaka
Though the Bundesliga has pumped out midfield talent like a machine; a trait shared with the midfielders themselves, none have quite captured world football’s attention like Granit Xhaka.

Which is why his buyout clause is a whopping €35 million.

Coupled with Christoph Kramer – who will be discussed a little later – in Borussia Monchengladbach’s midfield; the pair were Lucien Favre’s dynamic duo; blitzing through opposition midfields on the counter-attack. Until the summer of 2015, when Kramer returned to Leverkusen, and Xhaka bore the weight of Gladbach’s midfield in a resurgent side under new manager Andre Schubert. Coupled with the surging presence of Mahmoud Dahoud beside him, Xhaka has relished the responsibility and thrived within it. Still only 23 years of age, Xhaka’s best years are certainly ahead of him.

But even now, a pivot of Emre Can and Granit Xhaka would be delectable. Is he worth €35 million? When Jurgen Klopp is shopping in a domain he knows better than anyone, with a mantra to not spending galactic money as to ease the pressure on signings, and with such a diverse range of options (see below), this writer’s opinion is no.

So, here’s to the rest!

Leon Goretzka
This writer’s ideal choice for the summer, Leon Goretzka should be available for somewhere around the €20 million mark, and would complete Liverpool’s midfield in more ways than one. If Emre Can brings the sheer intensity and brutality into the midfield; engaging in the pressing, tackling, and powerful bursts forward, this makes Henderson; who performs this role to a lesser extent, a luxury player in the centre of midfield. The intensity, grace and guile on the ball, and combination of power and technique that Leon Goreztka possesses basically means he can decimate players as they attack, and instigate a seamless transition almost immediately.

If Klopp’s going to focus his men on a counter-attacking assault, in a similar method to the way Liverpool have played at their best this season (think Chelsea, City and United in the Europa League), then Goretzka would be one of the key facets of the side. He’s able to sit deep if he’s instructed; as a roaming destroyer. He makes 2.6 tackles per game and just under 3 interceptions a game, and his potency in a mobile midfield; one which Emre Can typifies, is immense.

Goretzka is powerful, brutish, dogged and most importantly; intelligent enough to play multiple positions. If there’s one thing Liverpool needs, it’s protection from midfield; and a combination of Goretzka and Can, despite their youth, provides a bustling, energetic midfield who will tear through the middle of teams like it’s a training drill. That, is one hell of a proposition.

Johannes Geis
If Goretzka would provide a steely presence in the centre of the park; then Johannes Geis provides the silky distribution akin to the Xabi Alonso’s and Xavi’s of the football world. He doesn’t win as many tackles as his aforementioned Schalke teammate, but when he gets a hold of the ball, he’s more inclined to look up and spray a delightful diagonal pass to a teammate than stick his head down and charge straight through the opposition with strength and guile.

Breaking onto Germany’s factory of young talent at Mainz – coincidentally, Jurgen Klopp’s former club – Johannes Geis was noticed by Schalke; whose interest in him was concrete enough not only to draw the transfer, but to have him make 22 appearances so far this season too. Though certainly not the finished article; Geis possesses a composure and assuredness on the ball that is only comparable to one of Liverpool’s former midfield maestros; Xabi Alonso, and he occupies a similar role. Not the most physical of defensive midfielders, he’s less of a destroyer and more of a distributor, though his bite in the tackles and ability to intercept isn’t something to just be tossed away; he holds his own when compared to the rest of the names on this list; though it’s not his most prevalent ability.

The final note: he thrives in a counter-attacking system, one whose attacks stem from a transition rather than a slow build-up. If Klopp is to make his side one that energises upon the fast-break, Geis could be critical.

Christoph Kramer
The final name on this list is a relatively familiar one; the name that’s been on the minds of many Liverpool fans since last summer, when Brendan Rodgers’ side was linked heavily with the German midfielder upon his return to Bayer Leverkusen, from Borussia Monchengladbach. More of a mobile defensive midfielder than the other three names; Kramer sits in front of the defence and looks to break up attacks before they can reach the centre halves. He’s not immobile, however; he’s far from it, known for his tenacity and endurance; Kramer has the stamina to run all day.

In a two-man midfield, Kramer enjoys the ability to read the play and instigate counter-attacks; again, like the aforementioned names above him. He acts as a fulcrum for attacks, often powering forward to join in the link-up play, and the drive to not stop running means, under former manager Lucien Favre, Kramer excelled in a gengenpressing system; breaking up counter-attacks with a strong tackle, before instigating one of his own with a quick pass in order to take opposition midfields out of the equation.

As has been the case on a regular basis in this piece; Kramer is young, and is a beneficiary of Germany’s seemingly endless stream of talent; especially in the centre of the park. Now, since being split from Granit Xhaka, his performances for Leverkusen have dwindled slightly; the midfield balance he has with the Swiss couldn’t be re-captured on either side; until the emergence of Mahmoud Dahoud at Borussia Monchengladbach. At Liverpool, perhaps that balance could be re-invigorated with the presence of Emre Can alongside him; it would certainly make for a strong, dominant midfield capable of taking their foes completely out of the game with one seamless counter-attack.

The common trend? These players all come out of Germany’s Premier competition, and are premier players for that reason. The standard of midfielders in the Bundesliga is of the highest quality in world football, so it’s not by any means a difficult task to imagine that’s where Jurgen Klopp will be doing his shopping in the summertime.

Now the real question is, which one will he pick? Time will tell.

The Shield: Liverpool’s Defensive Midfield Search – Part 1

The Shield – Liverpool’s Defensive Midfield Targets: Part 1
Remember the days? Javier Mascherano staring a charging midfielder dead in the eye, and stopping him right in his tracks, before his over-zealous rampage through the heart of Liverpool’s defence could even gain the slightest bit of traction.

Remember how good it felt when the ball left Xabi Alonso’s foot, soared through the air and seemed to land in the perfect space for Steven Gerrard to bury into the top corner? Or for his blonde compatriot #9 to latch onto, as the commentators bellowed their appreciation in a crescendo that mirrored the Liverpool fan on the couch, in awe of their midfielders.

Now, the same fans have to deal with the terror of their midfield being driven through on a basis far too consistent for comfort. They have to deal with quick, pacey number 10’s charging at them on a regular basis, and the space behind our marauding fullbacks being exploited. Though Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren make their fair share of mistakes, and aren’t necessarily good at what they do, they’re not helped by the situation in front of them.

That situation, though changing, is usually a midfield that is, while combative, not prone to defending counter attacks. It’s exceptionally potent at pressing, and it works a treat when Liverpool transition, but the fact remains.

Liverpool desperately require a defensive midfielder.

A shield, one who’s able to sit in front of the defence, whilst also able to distribute the ball, is desperately needed for Liverpool to become a proper force in the Premier League. It’s been discussed, bickered about, mulled over and contested, but the fact of the matter is Liverpool need a defensive midfielder.

And so, before the reader gets all misty-eyed over the days of Xabi and Javi, let yourself be enticed by the possibilities of the future; of a controlling midfielder helping the likes of Emre Can, Jordan Henderson and Phillipe Coutinho dominate games in their own way. For all of these players to prosper, a shield is needed.

The Spanish (And Portugese) Maestros
Ignacio Camacho

Malaga’s gem, a player who matches Jurgen Klopp’s enigmatic style of high intensity and energy, would be an ideal fit into the German’s young, developing side. He commands the presence a defensive midfielder should, but sits high enough on the pitch to be able to intercept passes before a counter-attack can fester, and his physical prowess is more than impressive too. Perhaps one of the more important traits he can have is his ability in the air; a weakness of Liverpool in recent times; and with the addition of Joel Matip to complement a would-be-signing of Camacho, the peril of high balls launched into the area would be eased somewhat.

His passing range is not the best of any defensive midfielder; but as it happens with statistics sometimes, the reality is slightly skewed. It’s not necessarily that his passing ability itself is questionable; rather the audacity of passes he attempts. Though he is industrious and a hard-worker; when he gets the kind of space La Liga affords to midfielders, he has the tendency to try some rather venturesome passes, some of which don’t come off. In prior seasons, his passing has hovered around the 80-85% mark, which is not bad.

Compared to Lucas, his tackling’s far more consistent, his reading of the game is far superior, and he is a more accomplished dictator of tempo; not allowing players to get past him on a regular basis. He really is a tactically astute player of the game.

Not to mention he’s a former captain of the Spanish U17 side that won the 2007 Euros.

The links to Liverpool come from the reported sighting of Camacho and his agent in Melwood earlier this month, and reports suggest Klopp will look to add two more midfielders to his contingent in the summer, in addition to the Serbian starlet Marko Grujic. Available for an abominably cheap fee; less than £10 million, perhaps even just £4 million, thanks to Malaga’s financial worries, Camacho would be an tactically superb talent at a bargain price, and would make a tonne of sense.

Sergi Samper
Which is more reliable? Barcelona’s infamous La Masia youth network, or Barcelona’s riveting midfield? Trying to break through Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Xavi is as difficult a task as is physically possible to conjure up, yet it is the task La Masia prodigy Sergi Samper has attempted to achieve following his arrival on the world stage.

He first based his game off of his teammate and compatriot; Sergio Busquets, possibly the most underrated player in world football, though Samper’s game began to take a different turn. More versatile than Busquets in ambition; he wants to differentiate himself from the pack by adapting his game to be more of a marauding defensive midfielder than a simple reader of the game, and with the way the kid’s developing, there’s nobody stopping him from achieving that transition. However, it is his work as a defensive midfielder which is the truest expression of just how fantastic he is to watch. Grace, guile, intelligence, and maturity beyond his years, Samper is Catalan through and through, though faces life in the limbo between Barcelona’s first team and their Liga Adelante side.

With sublime technical skills and the ability to control the tempo of a game, there is no way a player of Sergi Samper’s quality should be stuck playing in the Spanish second division, and equally no way he should be confined to the bench, even if it is on the best team in world football. Though people may be weary of his age, there is no doubting the kid’s talent and maturity; which would be enough to see him through should Liverpool make a move.

Ruben Neves
It is unreal just how good Ruben Neves is.

No really. It is. Unreal.

To see an 18 year old – the same age as this writer, as a matter of fact – go out onto the world stage of the Champions League, and make people look at him with a mixture of bewilderment and enchantment as he bends the game seemingly to his will, is a truly staggering thing.

Now, hyperbole aside, FC Porto’s midfield general is generating quite a lot of buzz, and he is certainly worth that buzz, and then some. His ability to read a game in the centre of the park is astounding, his passing range is more than impressive, his tempo-control is phenomenal and his maturity is staggering. Having debuted in the heart of Porto’s midfield at a mere 17 years of age, he is the youngest player to ever captain a team in the Champions League, at 18 years old, and yet it seems like the game moves through Neves at all times. Though he isn’t combative or physical, his intelligence means the right decisions, when made, take the physicality side out of it.

Remind you of anyone? Any Spanish-speaking pass-wizards who were able to receive the ball from a centre-half, glide past the oncoming big bloke and eliminate the rest of the midfield with one perfectly weighted pass? Scored a generation-defining penalty in a certain Champions League final?

That last one may be slightly off-topic, but nevertheless, Neves is not a simple carbon copy of Xabi Alonso, but they do share a lot of trademark talents. And both represent superb deals that would bring Liverpool tremendous success.

While Neves’ price tag may be a tad pricey; approximately £30 million, he really is one of Europe’s premier young talents; and seeing him demonstrate that in Liverpool Red would be something to behold.

Oliver Torres
Now, yes, this writer may have cheated a bit. Oliver Torres isn’t your atypical shield. Nor is he even a natural defensive midfielder. In fact, he operated in the number 10 role earlier in the season for Atletico Madrid, where he came up short on a couple of occasions. Diego Simeone; with a wealth of talent at his disposal, decided to persevere with his talented number 10, and opted to play him in a deeper role, alongside the likes of Josh Guilavogui, Mathias Kranevitter and Gabi, where he could dictate play.

Nicknamed “Miniesta” – and aptly so – the Spaniard shot to life in Atleti’s youth ranks at the age of 13, and hasn’t looked back since. However, now coming to a point in his career where his skills are properly beginning to take shape, he finds himself on the outer at Atletico. Though his new deeper role found prominence with his own game, he continues to be shifted in and out of the starting lineup; alongside the likes of Saul Niguez and Gabi.

Though he became one of the most technically gifted players Atletico possess, he has only started eight La Liga games this season, and has not been able to produce the consistency he’d like. The trouble comes in the role Oliver Torres exceeds at; the Xavi role of sitting deep and controlling a midfield. It is a role that does not fit into Diego Simeone’s tactics at Atletico Madrid, and as such Torres has been deployed out wide on multiple occasions, to little effect.

Possessing a wonderful eye for a pass, the ability to distribute the ball quickly and intelligently and potency on both feet, the 21-year old would be an immense addition to Liverpool’s midfield contingent, where Emre Can could sit deeper at the base of the midfield, next to the distributor in Torres. He occupies space and reads the game exceptionally well too. Alongside the Spaniard, Can’s steel and drive would have the passing acumen and flair to properly prosper. A midfield enhanced by the presence of the technically gifted 21-year old would be one mouth-watering prospect, that’s for sure.

*Stay tuned for Part Two of this piece, where this writer focuses on the German talent (plus one Brazilian) which could bolster Liverpool’s midfield.)

Matip and Grujic: Building the Way Forward

Matip and Grujic: Building the Way Forward
The road has been fraught with minor altercations, progress has been patchy and the highlights; the glimpses into what could be a golden era of our once great football club, have been equated by the speedbumps that have us looking to the future. But those glimpses, though sparing, have been wonderful. From Roberto Firmino’s masterclasses to Phil Coutinho’s brilliance, to a Divock Origi hattrick in a six goal hammering of our supposed equals and a six goal hammering of a side made to look as bad as they are.

These are the things the Liverpool fanbase has held onto, with their shining Ulsterman at the helm of a once dwindling football team, languishing in the bottom half of the table. Fans were desperate for Klopp to shift the dead wood and overhaul his team with a collection of the best Klopp-like Germans in his first January at the club; when really – and this is a common denominator as a whole – patience is desperately needed.

Patience, and the ability to be clever, to outsmart other teams. Both on the pitch, and off of it.

And that brings the topic neatly to Jurgen Klopp’s first bit of business.

If you were among the fans who knew who Marko Grujic was before Liverpool were linked with him; you’d know he is a midfield general in his ludicrously dominant Red Star Belgrade side; who had their domestic title wrapped up by January. If you, like this writer, happened to see his name on a Football Manager 2015 wonderkids list, and proceeded to look up one YouTube video, then you would’ve enjoyed checking him out on other YouTube videos and buying into the hype that our wonderful new manager handpicked this dynamic central midfielder for his future side.

What really brought the hype to the signing was that Jurgen Klopp wasn’t here for a few instantaneous trophies; he’s here to stay, to build something wonderful. And with him, he brought the savvy knack for transfer business that saw he and Michael Zorc build a Champions League final side.

The news of Joel Matip’s arrival on a free transfer immediately resounded immediately.

For one, it addressed a distinct weakness identified in Klopp’s defensively frail side: physicality in the air. Matip, standing at 6 ft. 4, is an aerially dominant centre half who’s named in WhoScored’s Bundesliga team of the season thus far, and let this Liverpool side; and it’s fans, breathe a little easier when a ball is flung high and loopy into the box, whether it be from one of those dastardly corners that seem to undo the Reds’ defence, or otherwise.

What do the signings mean? Well they point to a new era. The new era. This writer may be guilty of something many other Liverpool fans are experiencing; looking far into the future. Well, not too far, only a couple of months; but while living in the present is important, it’s much more fun to live in the place where the football club will undergo significant positive change. Revenue from the new Main Stand development, commercial deals and more of that lovely Premier League money will all complement what is expected to be a busy transfer window for Jurgen Klopp’s backroom staff.

Already, the arrival of two players heeds the dawn of a new era. An era of direction, of sticking to a manager’s plan and buying players who fit into that plan. It will not be an era of bickering between committee and egotistical manager, it will not be an era of incessant journalistic suggestions that Liverpool’s the idea of said transfer committee is somehow abnormal; it really isn’t. And it is not an era where teams will be able to get away with robbing Liverpool of a thirty percent price hike of a player’s value, purely because they know they can.

Five million pounds spent on two players who immediately improve the outlook of the side, so what else can the Red faithful expect from a turbulent but progressive summer transfer window?

Outgoings

One thing Klopp was somewhat renowned for during his time at Borussia Dortmund was his ability to get the best out of his players. For this reason, the likes of Joe Allen, Lucas, and Adam Lallana will likely remain at the club for morale purposes (Klopp has previously spoken about this; the humanity side of football.)

However, bystanders will not be permitted, which will most likely see the departure of Christian Benteke, one of Martin Skrtel or Dejan Lovren, depending on who fits into the manager’s plans, Mario Balotelli, and James Milner. Perhaps Milner gets a lifeline due to his captaincy, but his drain on Liverpool’s wage bill is not something that can just be waved off due to the fault of a previous regime.

The case for Balotelli, though perhaps still wavering among the fanbase, is surely now in its dying stages. His troubles at Liverpool in front of goal followed him to Milan, who are now unlikely to want him back. China possibly beckons; he’d enjoy the payday, and Liverpool would be suitably rewarded for their troubles.

James Milner will have to be content with being a squad player at best, and even then; it’s a hard pill to swallow for the top earner at the club. With Lazar Markovic, Jordon Ibe, and Klopp’s plans to buy another winger, which he’s already stated, it’s unlikely James Milner starts many games. Whether he’s content with that, late into his career, is entirely up to him, though it should be noted that his work ethic would make him an ideal candidate for the Jakub Blaszycowski role; a dynamic runner off of the bench.

Incomings

One thing, as aforementioned, that the new manager would desperately be looking into is another attacker to supplement the lethal, dynamic contingent already at the club. Liverpool’s fanbase knows; despite missing out on another target in Alex Teixeira, that Klopp won’t spend stupid money on an unknown transfer target; but perhaps someone he’s familiar with from the Bundesliga; Kevin Volland, Filip Kostic or Leroy Sane, would be an ideal choice for him, considering he could obtain them at much cheaper prices than any Premier League player.

The central midfield positions look to be strengthened too, with a more accomplished, combative defensive midfielder desperately needed; someone who can fit into the role of shielding the defence. There are plenty of names across Europe who fit the bill and may well be available; Sevilla’s Grzgorz Krychowiak, Valencia’s Danilo Pereira and Inter’s Geoffrey Kondogbia are just a few of those names.

And, depending on the fitness of Daniel Sturridge and the development of Divock Origi, a striker may be in the books as well; it’s clear Christian Benteke is counter-intuitive to Jurgen Klopp’s style of play, but the German manager will surely assess all options before letting him go. If Liverpool managed to squeeze £16 million out of a floundering Andy Carroll, surely Benteke will command upwards of that figure.

Speaking of which, the one thing many Liverpool fans wouldn’t be averse to would be seeing a bit of money splashed out on a big name; if for nothing than to rid themselves of the memory of Andy Carroll’s astronomical transfer fee.

But the fans, as a collective, know that Klopp will be smart, he will not back down from the negotiating table, and he will certainly be the way forward. So here’s to seeing who joins him on that road.

Assessment Task #1 – Blogging

Though informal writing and the communication of thoughts isn’t a particularly new form of media; or even social media, depending on the way it’s dissipated, blogging in itself seems to have evolved from merely a smattering of thoughts on forums or websites, to a very …

My Photo – “The Club of Passions”: How and Why

 

The gates to Anfield, the revered home ground of Liverpool Football club, just on the edge of Liverpool’s bustling city of culture, are famous around the world. They’re the focal point of pilgrimages, praised by the masses, and i tried to encapsulate some of that in the photograph i took in the December of 2014, when i was at Anfield, feeling that hype and awe. If there was something i could’ve done differently, i would’ve tried to take the photo with more people in the background, as to show the bustling movement and energy about the stadium, but the two footballs in between the gates, along with the clear background of the stadium itself, and the radiant Liverbird; the representation of Liverpool Football Club itself, makes it a great photo.

Jurgen Klopp: Making the People Happy

In a football world often described as savage, unrelenting and uncompromising, it’s a pretty good feeling to watch a Jürgen Klopp interview. In such a harsh, embattled landscape where managers all strive to achieve excellence largely through one pre-determined template of how to act in front of the camera and on the touchline, Jürgen Klopp is a breath of fresh air; one that’s only been witnessed a select few times since the rise of the most decorated manager of recent times, Alex Ferguson. Klopp belongs in a category of those in the uppermost echelon of modern managers. Managers who define.

The level of a manager who is able to tactically or uniquely define a generation of managers and make their stamp on the game is shorter than most think. Superb managers whose ability cannot be questioned are aplenty in the world game; yet managers whose profile define their generations are exceptionally rare; in this writer’s opinion, in the last ten years there have been only three managers who can say they’ve tactically defined how many will look back at this period in football’s long and decorated history. The first is Jose Mourinho, for his sheer ability to win no matter where he goes. Porto, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea twice, and undoubtedly wherever he ends up next, the adaptability of the “Special One” cannot be denied. Resources or not, there can be no question to his superb tactical ability.

The second, Guardiola, is tactically the most influential manager of our generation. He took a Barcelona side littered with superstars but lacking in meaningful direction and turned them into the most impressive team many had ever laid their eyes on. His tactical planning and coordination is second to none.

The third, well he took a Mainz side struggling to remain in the 2. Bundesliga and got them promoted to Bundesliga football. He then took the sleeping giants who’d finished the last season in a miserly thirteenth place to the top of Europe; only a late winner from Arjen Robben denying his passage into the famed collection of manager with UEFA Champions League titles to their name. He overcame the biggest club in world football twice to lift two straight Bundesliga titles and was single-handedly responsible for taking the youngest side to ever lift the Bundesliga title to the pinnacle of their careers.

Yes, this is subjective hyperbole. Yes, this is all in the view of an ideological writer whose fascination with tactics and the finer things in football will always twist his views on what is more often than not a results game. Yes, people will disagree.

But it doesn’t matter. Because we’ve got Jurgen Klopp, and they don’t.

It’s not the results that matter, it’s how he got those results. It’s the innovation of a pressing game not seen before; the ‘gengenpressing’ system that Liverpool is yet to actually witness. It’s the organised chaos that erupts onto the pitch when 11 players with the Klopp-inspired wind at their backs take to the battlefield feeling like they can achieve anything. It’s the same mentality that saw Robert Lewandowski put four past Madrid, and that saw the Yellow Wall erupt into party mode when their team put five past Munich.

Klopp, like Guardiola, is a manager whose achievements can be derived from the effect he has on his players, how he makes them better, how he brings them to incredible heights.

But you already know all of this.

Liverpool supporters were shown a glimpse into those very same heights when Klopp’s side travelled to Chelsea and City and put a combined tally of seven past the defending champions and runners up. The heights had equal lows when his side travelled to Watford and defensive frailties reared their ugly head once again. The sticking point amongst all of this? What Klopp did to City was with a squad he’d worked with for less than a month. What Klopp suffered at Watford was, in equal measure, with a squad he’d worked with for two months. For every glimpse into the talent of the German maestro, there’s equally a reminder that with all of Klopp’s determination, charisma and passion, the squad he’s inherited is one that finished sixth last season and one that’s only finished in the top four once in the space of six years.

The key, defining factor of it all, however, is the realisation that the virtue of patience will reap the most glorious of rewards.

In the same way that his impact at Mainz wasn’t immediate, and his initial impact at Dortmund, though notable, wasn’t immediate, Klopp’s Liverpool tenure will need to be given time. What we have been given, however, is a glimpse into the mind of the unique, charismatic, charming man who’s taken a fractured fanbase and begun to make them believe again.

“In the football world, if it is not possible for a team to show they are thankful for the atmosphere, and someone is saying “These are only for special moments”, why? The people are celebrating each goal.”

There’s a saying around the fields of Anfield Road. Bill Shankly made the people happy. All Jürgen wants to do is make the people happy, and that’s why Liverpool supporters can’t shut up about him. That’s why going from someone who’s never lifted a trophy in his short managerial career to someone who’s beaten Bayern Munich on multiple occasions was enough to put a spark in Liverpool Twitter not seen since Luis Suarez. People can judge, sure, but in the end, only we matter. Because only we are the ones with Jurgen Klopp. He doesn’t need to be the best manager in the world to manage Liverpool, he doesn’t need to have the most impressive CV in world football. He just needs to make the people happy, and the people will get behind him with a support unmatched by most sides in football.

“We are not on the world to do what everybody wants. LFC is family and friends.”

Such a distance from the fractured fanbase which fought over the tenure of Brendan Rodgers. A fanbase stricken by a complete lack of hope. And yet, it is in Jurgen’s mentality to unite the fanbase in a chorus, because that chorus can be as powerful as any “world-class” player.

Take a look at the 2013/14 season if you don’t believe it.

“Everybody’s asking me for winter transfers…how can we take four new players, what do we do with the other four? Should the world work like this where we have four new, then [the rest] just go?”

There’s a very Anglo-derived feeling amongst the Premier League, that if something doesn’t work, you replace it. Outright and without much thought for the ramifications, you simply replace the parts of the machine that can be upgraded and move on with the collective running a lot smoother. And yet, the machine can only function as well as the sum of its parts can work together; and indeed the German mentality of cohesiveness and individuality is something Jürgen Klopp emblemises.

To Klopp, football is not exclusive from how the world should work. Transfers are a key factor in any team; and Klopp’s ability to develop players’ strengths to their individual maximum is undoubted.

However, the collective identity matters more than the strengths of the individual.

There’s no thought in Jurgen Klopp’s mind to simply discarding Dejan Lovren, James Milner and Lucas Leiva purely because they don’t suit the way he wants to do things. In the way that most fans of Anglo-descent would be inclined to simply replace and upgrade without any thought towards the collective identity and the human aspect, Klopp believes in attempting to develop players to suit him, to see how the human beings in his team can adapt.

Just the other day, Christian Benteke mentioned how Klopp had an in-depth, deep conversation with the Belgian front man whose performances had been lacklustre, and illustrated what Benteke needs to do to play his role in Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool team. He’s giving Benteke the same chance he gave a 19-year old Polish youngster wanting to make an impression on his new boss; he instils the confidence and belief in a player’s mind that they can be as important a player as any in world football, and lets them go about achieving it. If they don’t, they’ll be moved on, because that’s how football works. But to serially replace human beings as if they’re simple commodities without any thought as to the ramifications is not the mentality Klopp wants around Anfield, it’s not how Klopp developed his side of world-beaters and it’s not how the youngest team to ever be crowned Bundesliga champions ascended to their throne.

There was a team, developed into believing they could beat anybody on their day.

“Football becomes the game it is today because you work together. In this moment we don’t only have the players; we have to work together with all the supporters around the world. That’s what I believe in. If we are strong and do this, then we will succeed for sure.”

The old anecdote about a team of champions versus a champion team of course springs to mind, and in the big German’s methodology, the collective will always be more important than the individual.

And possibly the best insight into the fantastically excitable German is the quote he shares about celebrating in front of the Kop following a dramatic 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

“We don’t know how long we live so we have to take the day.”

There’s no point having reservations about the past if it hinders the future, and there’s certainly no point in playing a conservative, repressive style of football if it means the fans will not be entertained. High octane, intense, aggressive football, all with a cocoon of playbooks and calculations and development on the training ground. All in the name of making the people happy.

Perhaps the best example of that are the reactions to Klopp’s departure in the clubs that grew to love him like a father. Mainz and Dortmund both held up banners with his face on the front, his beaming, joyful expression stemming from the love he has for the “beautiful game of football”, that same love that the fans all share when he pumps his fists on the sidelines. They loved Jürgen, and now he’s ours. Perhaps it will end with a similar celebration when his time’s up at Anfield, having delivered on all of the promise his name and reputation brought upon his arrival. Perhaps it won’t. Who cares?

Right now, the future is as brighter than any Liverpool fan could possibly have imagined when Stoke put six past Brendan Rodgers’ side on the final matchday of the 2014/15 season. Right now the world of endless possibilities awaits a Liverpool fanbase united behind the club we all adore. So be patient, enjoy the ride, enjoy every beaming grin and pumped fist on the touchline and enjoy every maniacal press and deft touch from players with the wind at their back.

Jürgen Klopp wants us to believe. So let’s start believing.

*Quotes courtesy of the BBC and Sky Sports

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