The second-longest unbeaten run in the Premier League by Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp is an essential part of his legacy
Jurgen Klopp led Liverpool to a 44-game unbeaten run, the second-longest by a Premier League club that sealed his legacy. The legendary run helped the Reds win their first Premier League title after a 30-year wait and numerous heartbreaks.
Despite their unfortunate misery in the domestic competition, Liverpool remained royalty on the European stage. The difference in fortune made many fans contemplate what exactly is the problem that stops Liverpool in the Premier League.
Many mitigating factors always played a role, such as poor officiating, restricted budget, and lack of depth in the squad. Klopp joined Liverpool despite knowing that these factors yet his ambitions remained strong and his demands remained high.
The answer to all these problems remained singular, to create an unrelenting mentality and develop consistency, becoming an unstoppable force. Klopp joined the Reds in 2015 and used gradual developments of the academy and the players he inherited.
Liverpool 1.0 – The gradual pre-unbeaten run build-up of the great Jurgen Klopp side
The 56-year-old used patience while the fans and management remained patient with him as he continued to work his magic. When Liverpool lost Phillippe Coutinho that questioned their stature, he added Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker to bring balance.
Klopp established academy gem Trent Alexander-Arnold as his first-choice right-back while the talented transfer team brought him Andy Robertson. The German established Gini Wijnaldum, James Milner and Jordan Henderson as his midfield engines while adding Fabinho as a shield.
The legendary front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah had already started to terrorise the league. Liverpool turned into a well-balanced machine with a singular mindset and plenty of hunger to win trophies.
Prelude to the legendary unbeaten Liverpool run and its beginning: Jurgen Klopp and his “mentality monsters”
Beginning on January 12, 2019, the Reds pushed the Citizens until the end of the season for the long-awaited title. Man City ended the season with 98 points followed by 97 points for Liverpool which involved a controversial drop of points.
For instance, the Reds drew 1-1 in a Premier League clash against Arsenal when officials wrongfully disallowed Sadio Mane’s goal. Liverpool’s unbeaten run commenced two months after this game where officials potentially decided their title fate.
Nevertheless, the 44-game unbeaten run from the Reds decided their Premier League title fate in the 2019-20 season. Liverpool’s dominant performances sealed the title so early that neither bad officiating nor the Coronavirus outbreak could do anything.
Many rival fans and former players begged to scrap the 2019-20 season to avoid the humiliation Liverpool delivered. Eventually, they called the Reds’ title victory as the “Covid title”, pretending that Klopp’s men didn’t humble them before lockdown.
The truth remains that the coronavirus outbreak and temporary suspension of the Premier League only destroyed the Reds’ rhythm. The return of the Premier League without any fans allowed in the stadium caused Klopp’s team more misery.
The club missed the Kop as the Kopites missed watching their team achieve greatness and enjoy it with them. Nevertheless, the 44-game unbeaten run did what Klopp promised that Liverpool would do under his guidance, winning the Premier League.
The end of the unbeaten run: The legacy of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool
Liverpool’s streak, unfortunately, ended on February 24, 2020, by Watford with just five games short of Arsenal’s “invincible” streak. The London rivals under Arsene Wenger achieved the “invincible status” for finishing the season unbeaten amid a 49-game unbeaten run.
The Gunners drew 13 times during that impressive unbeaten run and won 36 matches, averaging 2.46 points per game. Their streak ended in the controversial game against their bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on October 24, 2004.
Liverpool’s streak unfortunately ended on February 24, 2020, Watford with just five games short of Arsenal’s “invincible” streak. The London rivals under Arsene Wenger achieved the “invincible status” for finishing the season unbeaten amid a 49-game unbeaten run.
The Gunners drew 13 times during that impressive unbeaten run and won 36 matches, averaging 2.46 points per game. Their streak ended in the controversial game against their bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on October 24, 2004.
On the other hand, Liverpool enjoyed 39 victories from 44 games while drawing only five matches during that unbeaten run. They averaged 2.77 points per game, scoring 104 goals and conceding 29 as they dominated every team.
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Despite being part of the “big 6” in the Premier League, Klopp has never enjoyed the same transfer budget as his rivals. The German mastermind worked under a restricted budget, putting the development of players over finding readymade solutions in the transfer market.
The 56-year-old leaves the club in a far better position than when he took over, winning every major trophy. His successor will inherit a fantastic squad while receiving thorough backing from the fans and management that Klopp enjoyed. On May 19th, fans will bid Klopp an emotional farewell, but no matter where he goes, he will always remain a Kopite.
