Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp have truly conjured up something special following one of the greatest years in the club’s illustrious 127-year history. 2019 saw Liverpool end their seven-year trophy drought to deliver the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup to the Anfield trophy haul.
DOHA, QATAR – DECEMBER 21: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool lifts the FIFA Club World Cup trophy following his team’s victory during the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 Final between Liverpool FC and CR Flamengo at Education City Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
The European champions are continuing to shatter records along the way after they made it a full calendar year unbeaten following their 2-0 victory against Sheffield United on Thursday. The team have taken a sizeable leap from nearly-men into serial winners.
During Liverpool’s 37 match unbeaten run, the team have claimed 101 points and have won 32 matches in that time. The Reds have scored 89 goals and have conceded just 26. Since that soul-crushing defeat at the Etihad Stadium a year ago, Klopp’s team have averaged 2.66 points per game – only Chelsea under Jose Mourinho in 2005 were operating at the same devestating pace.
Whilst Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions have stumbled since making it back-to-back titles, Liverpool have released the handbrake and shifted into another level entirely. The European and World champions are 13 points clear of all of their title rivals – having played a match less.
Despite claiming a near-perfect 58 points from a possible 60, Liverpool and Klopp have still been able to hand rare league debuts to youngsters such as Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott. The teenage duo have proven if you are good enough, you are old enough to play for even the world’s best team.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 26: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal with Jordan Henderson and Andy Robertson during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Liverpool FC at The King Power Stadium on December 26, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Just look at the Reds’ irreplaceable right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. Certainly the club’s greatest academy graduate since Steven Gerrard, the local-born lad has emerged into one of the hottest properties currently on the market. He has 12 assists already this season and registered 20 over the course of 2019 – more than any other Premier League player.
The club have vindicated just how attractive Anfield has become as a destination for European proven players. Takumi Minamino joined the club for a bargain fee of £7.25 after Liverpool beat off numerous European clubs – including Manchester United – to secure the signature of the Japan international.
Heroes have emerged from all corners of the club. Joe Gomez has been in inspiring form since deputising for the injured Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip. The England international is only 22 and could be their central defensive focal point for the next 10 years.
It’s been some journey since Klopp joined the Reds in 2015, most importantly is the fact that the good times seem in the future rather than in the past. The home fortress has been swiftly rebuilt. Liverpool are now 51 league matches unbeaten at Anfield – that’s 985 days – and they have won 18 successive home matches since Leicester took a point from Merseyside back in January 2019.
The team have the opportunity to make 2020 a golden age for the club and more importantly end a 30-year wait for a league title. The present is producing some of the greatest moments the club has ever seen and whats even more encouraging is that the future seems just as bright.