Liverpool 2021/22: Peak Klopp Football

Did the 2021/22 edition of Liverpool achieve the highest points tally of the Klopp era? No, while
92 points is a major accomplishment and successful season, the number pales in comparison to
the 2018-20 group that put up 97 and 99 points in consecutive years. Did they win big trophies
like the 2018-20 group that, in a span of less than a year, won the Champions League, then the
Super Cup, then the Club World Cup, and then the Premier League? No, but they came very
close. A 10-minute hat trick from Ilkay Gundogan, a player whom Klopp developed at
Dortmund, ensured City won the Premier League by a singular point. Then, one week later, after
tear gas was thrown at Liverpool supporters in Paris due to a tickets issue and the match was
temporarily suspended, Thibaut Courtois broke the hearts of Liverpool fans again, in a game
Liverpool surely dominated, but lost because of one singular lapse in concentration from the
Scouser in the team. A team that played in every possible game, that came so close to an historic
quadruple, came agonizingly short of the goal.

Why, then, is this Liverpool team my favorite of the Klopp era? If nothing else, there were so
many moments from that season that I still remember fondly. Beating United 5-0 at Old Trafford,
the dueling images of the joy of Kenny Dalglish and the anger of Alex Ferguson. Then ripping
that same team to shreds at Anfield. Beating Chelsea in two cup finals, taking the absolute piss
out of Kepa in the penalty shootout. The legend of Caoimhin Kelleher was born that night when
we won the Carabao Cup. Taking the piss out of Everton and particularly Jordan Pickford after
they destroyed the previous season. How about that goal from Thiago against Porto that
essentially broke physics? The one season we got to see a fully healthy Thiago was a treat, just as
it was a treat to watch Jota making fun of Arsenal and Leicester. I think Diogo’s peak during that
season is another reason to remember him fondly, our beloved Saint Diogo of Liverpool. The last
truly healthy season of our beloved giraffe Joel Matip. Those mazy runs were a staple that
season. The last season where Liverpool employed Sadio Mane, who played a number of
different roles in the attack and did so quite well. Mo Salah started off the season at an historic
scoring pace, then as he dropped off it was Mane and new signing Luis Diaz who picked up the
slack.

The fearsome depth in the team was on full display with that attack in particular. You still had the
famous trio of Mane-Firmino-Salah, but there was serious depth behind them in the form of the
emerging star Diogo Jota and the midseason addition of Luis Diaz, who was the perfect fit at the
perfect time for that team. Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi as further depth and cup heroes
were the cherry on top. The defense, disastrous as it was the previous season, was shored up by
health and the addition of the young Ibrahima Konate. The midfield finally got to see a healthy
Thiago join the typically dependable Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, and James Milner. We lost
Gini Wijnaldum, but that gave opportunities for the young Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott to
establish themselves in the first team. We even started the 18-year-old Elliott at the San Siro. We
finally got somewhat healthy seasons from Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita in
particular finally showing some of the skill that brought him to Liverpool. Ox filled in as a
capable deputy at a number of positions, a quality that also showed itself when we won the
league in 2019/20. The team was healthy, playing up to their full potential, and it showed. You
could tell the core had been playing together for a number of years, the chemistry at times was
off the charts. The attacking movements so clean, crisp, and sharp, bolstered by the calm yet
creative magic of the metronomic Thiago. Although I must admit, hearing Lee Dixon tell Thiago
to get his head out of his arse against Newcastle was entertaining.

I think that’s what separates this team from the others for me, the entertainment. The 2018-20
Liverpool teams were built on structured defense, taking advantage of set pieces, and being
ruthless on the counter attack. They could create a lot from possession, but that wasn’t yet as
fully developed compared to where they were in 2021/22. The possession and chances created
showed an evolution that was necessary to stay at the top. Liverpool leaked a few more goals but
scored more as well. It was a swashbuckling, entertaining form of football. Some of the greatest
team goals were scored that season, particularly the second goal against United at Anfield. All 10
outfield players touched the ball in a 44-pass sequence that ended with an incredible splitting
pass from Mane playing as a false nine, finding its way for Salah to slot it home. This Liverpool
team was complete, could play and win with any number of different styles of play. They could
play defensive, they could play with pace, they could break you down with passing and
dribbling. They had all the tools in the tool box, not least of which the dominant striker and
midfield creator that fans had long believed they needed in order to reach another level. It was
flashy, it was exuberant, and it was totally Liverpool football at its finest.

Now I’ve got a question for you all. I’ve shown you why I think this Liverpool team was the best
of the Klopp era. Which edition of Klopp’s Liverpool do you think was best? Sound off in the
comments.