Watched the Dortmund - Bayern match the other day. Fair to say, both seemed a little timid and unwilling to take the chance to make the big telling difference in the title race. Dortmund needed it more, Bayern arguably just about edged it.
The performance made me wonder just how different Klopp's Dortmund were. The commentary team, including Owen Hargreaves, praised Tuchel for taking Klopp's blueprint and honing a couple of areas to the teams advantage. The game was more like moneyball chess than football to be frank. It was like both teams strategies were set in stone, both teams had tactics to temporarily exploit perceived weaknesses in the other team, but neither conjured enough quality to get the telling goal.
I questioned whether Klopp's blueprint was even a thing. I mean, if there is one thing I have read into Klopp since he was at the club, strategically anyway, is that he believes himself that a team must learn from each game, each teams strategy. Each team has one, and there are regularities in the ways teams play. If the players can build up a bank of knowledge on the best ways to defend long balls, and attack with long balls, then any team that attempts that style, or susceptible to aerial balls can be punished.
Now, I could be barking up the wrong tree, and you might think this rather wordy post seems a long way from the initial question I posed, but to me, this is our biggest improvement. So, so often under Rodgers, we would suffer the same mistakes and weaknesses. Klopp's response to criticism from the conceded goal from a set piece in the Palace game, in my view, was telling and defensive. He knows the team have worked hard on this weakness. That a team with one of the best goals from corners ratios managed one against us is only proof of their ability to attack well in that regard. That is Klopp's likely mindset at least.
So... I come back to this moment months ago. I remember listening to the Anfield Wrap around the time Klopp joined the club. I signed up around that time, which shows just how into Klopp I am. There was a series of interviews about what to expect. One Dortmund journalistic spoke of words to this effect...
Don't think about now. Just wait two years. You'll see. Just wait. Klopp takes time. You'll be happy in two years.
You could say it is a less than puzzling thing. Even now, it makes complete sense that Klopp would run the rule on the squad this season. Give currently away loanees a pre-season and make decisions in January on those, while being able to get rid of those unimpressive from his first few months this coming summer. Blood some new players, give them the time next year to learn from him. Learn the approach to games, teams, strategies. Then, let them go full-tilt the year after. It would bring the best out of players at the club now that are able to form a foundation at the club. He'd have the ability to strengthen weaknesses without overwhelming pressure on them to hit the ground running. But it is so brave.
Brave because he will judged entirely on bringing much more out of this squad. Much more will be made of any player that comes in. It is very un-Premier League like if you will. How many clubs sign 2-3 players that could all fit one position to play the odds of getting someone that "works". Klopp almost puts so much faith in his own ability that everyone "works." He is but the artist with the array of colours picking out the highlights he needs.
So given all of this. I am impressed by the teams ability to learn about different styles of team. I think the biggest concern for Klopp is always going to be the quality of our players in their ability to change a game. Lallana is looking better. Firmino too. But real game-changers cost money, and have baggage, which is usually inconsistency. I'm intrigued just to see how much faith is put in the current squad when he runs the rule on them all this summer.
What would you say is the notable improvement under Klopp? He's had more than half a season now, so I think you've all had enough time to see something.
