The 8th of October 2015 is a date that is etched into the minds of almost every Liverpool supporter worldwide.
The self proclaimed ‘Normal One’ Jurgen Klopp was the man tasked with placing Liverpool back on their perch as he was appointed to replace the astute but ultimately underachieving Brendan Rodgers.
And what a six years it has been for the club.
The obvious highpoint was in 2020 when Klopp led the team to a first Premier League title and in the process ended the club’s 30-year wait for the biggest prize in English football.
One year prior a sixth European Cup had been brought to Merseyside as they dispatched of Tottenham Hotspur in a cagey final that ended 2-0 to the Reds in Madrid.
A UEFA Super Cup victory against Chelsea and a first-ever FIFA Club World Cup were added to the near overflowing trophy cabinet at Anfield in between the two most prized assets in club football as Klopp etched his name into Liverpool folklore and became their most successful manager since Kenny Dalglish had first filled the position in the late 80s and early 90s.
While four major trophies in itself is a remarkable achievement, perspective only increases the level of adoration that the once silverware starved fanbase have for the man from the Black Forest.
Since Klopp’s appointment in 2015, no English club other than Manchester City and Chelsea have won more than the 19 times champions of England.
When you compare the net spend of Liverpool to that of those two clubs and their other rivals, most notably their biggest foes Manchester United, it is miniscule and goes to show what the German can do with relatively limited resources.
For those that point to the two 2018 windows when Liverpool spent big on players such as Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson, hindsight has highlighted that such investment from owners FSG would not have occurred if it weren’t for the sale of their most prized asset Phillipe Couthino to Barcelona for £140 million.
If you still disagree, Mike Ashley has spent £75 million net on players since 2019. FSG have spent £19 million. And just look at the jubilant scenes on Tyneside this week as Ashley’s custodianship came to an end.
Liverpool won one trophy in nine years prior to Klopp coming through the door at Melwood, a League Cup in 2012. As already mentioned, they have won four since the former Borussia Dortmund manager has been in place.
They have made five finals in the last six years. They had made two in the eight seasons before 2015/16.
Liverpool have never failed to qualify for the Champions League in a full season under the 54-year-old. They had made it into the top four of the Premier League once in six seasons before 2016/17.
His achievements have been remarkable, leading to adulation from the Kop and grudging respect and envy from even the fiercest critics and opposition supporters.
But has the Klopp era already reached its peak?
Irrespective of what the manager might say, this is an ageing squad. key players like Thiago, Salah, Firmino, Mane, Henderson, Matip, Van Dijk and Fabinho are already at or close to the wrong side of 30.
That’s not to say that they may just be about to reach their prime all at the one time, but when the inevitable and looming slide comes for these players, the worry is that it will occur for most mentioned above simultaneously.
That is a fear-inducing thought for Liverpool fans. Some are in denial regarding this hard truth and despite an encouraging start to the season, what happens when Salah and Mane are gone in January for the African Cup of Nations?
Liverpool’s season could easily crumble due to a small number of injuries like it did last year only for a late rescue mission in their final 10 games that salvaged an otherwise majorly disappointing campaign.
It is both a small and ageing squad.
It won’t be long until the Doomsday Clock hits midnight and the core of this group of players will either have to be moved on or allowed to remain as squad players rather than the current heartbeat of the team as they have been for several seasons now.
So, when that time comes, will similar investment to that of 2018 arrive?
If the answer is no, then how soon will it be before one of, if not the most coveted manager in the world asks himself what more he can do at Liverpool?
Raphina, Ismaila Sarr, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn are just a few examples of current Premier League players that are at a ripe age to freshen the squad in areas where it needs at least minor repairs, or maybe even complete rebuilds.
His recruitment has been second to none. Klopp will know the profile of player that he wants, he will identify them and most likely get them at a price that will at least double in value throughout their Liverpool careers.
Give him even a fraction of what others have at their disposal and Jurgen Klopp will achieve more than most yet again. He has proven it both before Liverpool and while at Liverpool and he will almost certainly do so once more if there is renewed investment in this squad.
But if the money is not forthcoming, which looks increasingly likely as Liverpool fans watch on every summer when rival clubs outspend them to such a large extent, what more can he do?
The answer is a bleak outlook on what could otherwise so easily be a bright future for Liverpool.
