So, we’re through. Liverpool Football Club’s
first European cup final since Athens in the Champions League back in 2007. An
era where we were spoilt rotten when Rafa Benitez’s men constantly terrorised
teams around Europe. Not only the team whom he managed, but Benitez himself
struck the fear of god into all opposition back in those days. Take us on out
your peril was the mantra. His tactical nous had shifted the paradigm of
European cup competition. Now that paradigm is being morphed into a new guise,
courtesy of one Jürgen Klopp, to the point where Liverpool are beginning to
bear similar fruition to the Benitez days.
Looking at the statistics and they will
suggest it the home leg against Spanish side, Villarreal, was something of a
cakewalk. But 2-0 ahead against a very well organised opponent knowing that a
solitary away goal would send the visitors through, it didn’t feel comfortable.
Certainly not the levels of comfort supporters felt under Benitez. Not yet,
anyway. A perfect example of that was Alberto Moreno’s careless nudge on Denis
Suarez inside the box, which could have easily resulted in the referee awarding
a penalty to the away side.
However, with the benefit of hindsight, it
all proved somewhat academic in the end. Klopp’s go-to man in Adam Lallana put the
tie to bed, neatly tucking home an initial scuffed attempt by Daniel Sturridge.
We were through. The Liverpool faction of bed-wetters suggesting we were
out of the competition some seven days earlier thanks to a late Villarreal goal
could rest easy (a large proportion probably weren’t around in the Benitez
days). Onward and upwards. Unquestionably, this one was for the 96 and their families
who, after the long and arduous battle for justice, finally received it. Destination
Basel. History awaits with back-to-back Europa League Champions, Sevilla,
standing in the way of silverware and a potential return to Champions League
football. Here are my observations from the game.
- The
inclusion of Emre Can swung the tie in Liverpool’s favour. He was like a one
man wrecking ball, penetrating through the midfield with his incessant
marauding incursions. Most players coming back from injury take two to three
games until they are in rhythm, but the young German was something akin to a
new toy that had just been unwrapped from underneath the Christmas tree. When
all is said and done at the season’s end, I think many will suggest that Emre
Can has been Liverpool’s most improved and most important player under his
fellow countrymen, Jürgen Klopp. It would be hard to disagree.
- Although
Emre Can dismantled Villarreal’s midfield from the opening whistle, James
Milner’s role in the demolition shouldn’t be overlooked. Earlier on in the
season, Klopp seemed reluctant to slot the England international into the
centre of midfield. With time, it’s evident that Klopp’s trust in Milner has
become paramount, to the point where the vice-captain is now one of his most
entrusted lieutenants. Our finest working-class hero since Dirk Kuyt.
- From
maligned and very much with one foot out the door, to becoming the team’s first
choice centre-half, Dejan Lovren has become the bedrock of Liverpool’s defence
under Klopp. It was another assured display from the big Croatian, who has
galvanised a solid partnership with stalwart, Kolo Toure. How the tides have
turned and although many players have divided opinion in the past (Martin
Skrtel, Lucas Leiva et al), I don’t think anyone has turned it round quite like
Dejan Lovren. It’s a great credit to the man.
- Like
the Can/Milner alliance, Lovren’s performances have been helped by Kolo Toure,
who hasn’t let anyone down when called upon. For a 35-year-old to be performing
the way he is at this level is a testament to the Ivorian's complete and utter
professionalism. Don’t be surprised if he is offered another contract at the
end of the season.
- Roberto
Firmino’s performance was one of his best in a Liverpool shirt. I’ve always
maintained the belief that his work off the ball is just as important as the
work he does on it, however the hallmark of his performance against Villarreal
was his ability to keep possession. Oh, and that turn on Roberto Soldado…
- Daniel
Sturridge. Since coming back from injury, much has been made of his future at
Anfield. From Klopp’s decision not to select him in every match to unremitting
questions about his attitude, many of the backyard psychologists and body
language experts would have been muzzled by Sturridge’s performance. Although
not as lethal in front of goal as we are used to seeing, he hit the target when
it counted. When all is said and done, I firmly believe the boy from the
Midlands is Liverpool’s best player.
- Like
a conductor in front of his orchestra, Jürgen Klopp took centre stage at the
end of the game, motioning to all quarters of the Anfield faithful in raw
jubilation. The emotion with each fist-pump and each “c’mon!” It was one
of those moments that, in time, will be written into Liverpool Football Club
folklore. I won’t lie, the scenes of triumph which filled my lounge room left
me dewy-eyed. To think that Jürgen Klopp is the manager of Liverpool Football
Club. It’s still a fact that is quite difficult to fathom.
By Simon K.
By Simon K.
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