Mikel Arteta believes that the Anfield atmosphere has played a huge part in Liverpool’s success under Jurgen Klopp.
Speaking in his press conference before his Arsenal team take on The Reds, Arteta was full of praise for the job Klopp has done since 2015.
“Credit to Jurgen, the coaching staff and to the club as well for what they have created,” said Arteta via arsenal.com.
“They haven’t just created a team that can compete and be successful, They have created a huge cultural understanding of who Liverpool is today.”
The Arsenal manager went on to highlight how all aspects at the club have come together to propel Liverpool towards success, including the atmosphere in the famous old stadium.
“The stadium and the atmosphere they can create, the support, the level, how they communicate,” said the 39-year-old.
“It’s a long of things, not just individuals, or the players that they have recruited and the plan that they had to reach that level. It’s a whole plan that I really value I think.”
Anfield takes the spotlight
It’s no surprise to hear Arteta speak highly of the atmosphere at Anfield. Last time Arsenal visited, their manager was guilty of whipping the crowd into a frenzy.
With his team doing a good job of stifling Liverpool in the first half, Arteta decided to enter into a shouting match with Klopp on the touchline.
In a previously subdued game, this was the spark that the home crowd needed to roar the team on.
With the stadium having woken up, Liverpool’s players reacted accordingly. Within minutes of Arteta’s outburst, Sadio Mane had headed Liverpool into the lead.
Eventually, a match which had started so evenly finished with The Reds strolling to a 4-0 win. With that, Arteta witnessed the power of Anfield first-hand.
A match made in heaven
It’s also worth exploring Arteta other comments here. He is absolutely right to highlight the ‘culture’ that Klopp has created. From his very first day at Liverpool, the German has understood what the club means.
On-field success always helps but it’s quickly forgotten that it took Klopp almost four years to win anything on Merseyside.
Building up to that success, the manager laid the foundations over a period of time. Be that from having a long-term recruitment plan, bringing Anfield into the 21st century, or surrounding himself with experts in various fields.
Arteta and Arsenal are in a similar place to where Liverpool were in 2015. From his words, it’s obvious that the Spanish coach is using Klopp’s Liverpool as a blueprint to work from.
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