The former Dortmund coach has certainly had an impact at Anfield, but has the absence of a world-class superstar proved a help rather than a hindrance?
Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor believes that Liverpool’s new-found team ethic under Jurgen Klopp is the major factor in the team’s improvement in recent months, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Klopp arrived at Anfield amid huge excitement and expectation a year ago today and has since encouraged hopes of a stunning title challenge this season after a goal-laden start to the campaign.
The likes of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana have raised their game to a new level under the former Dortmund coach, and ex-Liverpool youngster Mellor believes the togetherness in the squad and the absence of an unprecedented star man has underpinned the team’s burgeoning development.
“What [Klopp] has done above all else is bring the club together as one,” Mellor who scored the equaliser and set up Steven Gerrard’s legendary winner in a crucial Champions League win against Olympiakos in 2005, wrote in his column for the Liverpool Echo.
“There are no superstars now like Gerrard or Luis Suarez but the players are all in it together.
“The days of an over-reliance on one or two players are over – we’ve seen seven different scorers in the Premier League so far this season – and Daniel Sturridge hasn’t been one of them yet.”
There is still much room for improvement if Klopp wants to realise his aim of transforming the traditional also-rans into perennial title contenders, despite a number of exceptional performances during his 12 months in charge.
Thrilling victories against Manchester City, Arsenal and Everton in the Premier League have been undermined so far by avoidable defeats to the likes of Burnley but recent results, and performances, suggest that Liverpool are set to put that inconsistency behind them.
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