Jurgen Klopp highlights Liverpool players who caught his eye as he recalls first impressions

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When Jurgen Klopp joined Liverpool in 2015, the club had lost their way, but he was able to navigate them back to the success they are known for.

‘The Normal One’ delivered what he set out to do when he came in and led the Reds in his crazy, brilliant way to a Premier League title and a Champions League in his nine years in charge.

It was clearly not the easiest job in the world because, following the decline of Brendan Rodgers’ form, the team were depleted and lacked all the ingredients necessary for them to be an instant success.

But Klopp used his ingenuity and, with the help of the club’s board, selected the right men to come in to create the environment necessary to be champions.

What has always been interesting is to know exactly what he thought of the team left by Rodgers, because, as mentioned, they were not a title-winning side.

Jurgen Klopp liked Divock Origi, Christian Benteke, and Roberto Firmino but was told Jordan Henderson ‘not good enough’

During the Diary of a CEO podcast, the 58-year-old explained the moment he arrived and saw the players he had at his disposal, with some he actually had glowing thoughts about.

The German revealed that Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke were players he ‘liked’ when he had arrived with Divock Origi described as a star he ‘loved’.

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp may have accidentally just dug Arne Slot even deeper into a hole at Liverpool

However, there was one player Klopp was told was not good enough for Liverpool, and that was the man who would be captain in Jordan Henderson.

He explained: “When I arrived at Liverpool. Nobody liked the players, nobody liked the team, not even the Liverpool team liked the team! But I liked the team! I liked Firmino, I liked Benteke, I loved Origi, I knew Henderson. And I heard only: “not good enough.

“But I liked that team, I liked those players! I saw an engine room, I saw smart players. I saw players who really want to work hard.”

“I knew I wouldn’t step in a shining dressing room. But okay, fine, let’s build.”

Three of them became integral parts of Liverpool’s success

It is no surprise to look back on how Henderson was viewed at the club, given that in many of his performances, he just never felt like a Liverpool player.

However, the Englishman went on to prove everyone wrong as he captained the club to all their major titles.

Firmino, of course, showed himself to be an incredible player whenever he stepped on the pitch with his brilliant movement and precise finishing.

What is there to be said of Origi that has not already been said, because he is the cult hero in football for his important goals and moments to drag Liverpool out of near-certain defeat.

Benteke never stayed past Klopp’s first year at the club and went on to be a big part of Crystal Palace instead.

Looking back at all these players and moments under Klopp, it is just so impressive how he perfectly revolutionised the club, and his contributions as a legend will never be forgotten.