Jurgen Klopp’s seismic announcement in early 2024 threatened to derail Liverpool’s stability as the club had to come to terms with the loss of its greatest manager of the modern era.
Fast forward to the end of 2024 and it couldn’t be much better. Klopp’s replacement Arne Slot has led his team to the top of the Premier League and Champions League and they are also semi-finalists in the Carabao Cup.
Athletic returns to Liverpool’s ups and downs in 2024.
At the start of the 2023-24 season, if you had been told that Liverpool would finish the Carabao Cup final with Jayden Danns, James McConnell, Bobby Clark and Jarell Quansah on the field, many would have been too afraid to ask what the final score would be. was.
Instead, the 1-0 extra-time victory over Chelsea, sealed thanks to a Virgil van Dijk header in the 118th minute, one of the most memorable moments of Klopp’s reign.
Due to an injury crisis that left Liverpool without several key players, Klopp had to throw academy players into the deep end. The “Klopp kids” did more than just intervene. They stood out.
Klopp described it as “the greatest special trophy” he has ever won. It’s hard to disagree given the odds against Liverpool. It captures everything Klopp has built in his eight-and-a-half years at the helm of the club.
Manchester United – Liverpool 4-3 in the FA Cup quarterfinals is making the blood of many fans boil.
Before the match, Liverpool, with a trophy already won, were still dreaming of a quadruple to end Klopp’s tenure in style.
But it all began to fall apart at Old Trafford when Amad Diallo scored the winner in the final minute of extra time from Liverpool’s own corner. Klopp’s side failed to put the game away when on top, and paid the heaviest price.
There were several points behind Liverpool’s poor finish to the season, but it seemed they never fully recovered from the mental blow they suffered against their wonderful rivals that day.
Mohamed Salah’s incredible 2024-25 campaign has so far put him in contention, despite injuries and poor form limiting his influence in the first half. But he has just been overtaken by Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
The 33-year-old, the epitome of consistency, shows no signs of decline and remains an integral figure in the team.
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He has relished taking on the captain’s armband and that responsibility of setting the tone and the tempo on the pitch has only increased as he has grown into the role.
The Dutch foreigner remains one of the defenders in Europe and, together with Salah, seems capable of playing at the top for many years.
All Liverpool fans will remember what they were doing on January 26, when they learned that Klopp would be stepping down as manager at the end of the 2023-24 season.
With Liverpool suffering on four fronts and the German running with a new-look and revamped squad he has dubbed ‘Liverpool 2. 0’, few could have predicted the 57-year-old’s announcement.
This sent shockwaves through the city, similar to that experienced when Bill Shankly retired in 1974, and there was a sense of mourning at the imminent loss of the club’s greatest coach.
Departing had been on Klopp’s mind for a handful of months after informing owners Fenway Sports Group about his intentions to leave in November because he was, in his own words, running out of energy.
His legacy over his eight-and-a-half-year reign includes the club’s sixth European Cup and first Premier League title alongside so many moments it would take until 2026 to list.
1: The number of defeats suffered by Slot since taking over (against Nottingham Forest).
During the first part of the year, the underlying verbal exchange about who and how someone could upgrade Jurgen Klopp.
It’s understandable to think of the worst-case scenario, as replacing such an iconic and influential figure is never easy; ask Manchester United.
For now, part of 2024, everyone is wondering what is going on with all the fuss. Slot has, so far, overseen a graceful transition and put Liverpool in position for a trophy-laden 2025.
“Ar-ne Slot! No, no, no, no, no! »
Moments after their last game in May, a 2-0 win over Wolves, Klopp’s cross leveled and said goodbye to Anfield for good.
It deserves to have been all about him; Instead, he gave Slot, who had not yet been officially announced as his replacement, the warmest welcome.
Fans frequently belted out the song, using Klopp’s name, to celebrate the German. But, to symbolise the passing of the torch, Klopp led Anfield in singing his new version and, helped by his early success, it has stuck.
Liverpool have several teenagers who can be the player to watch. There’s a lot of excitement surrounding Trey Nyoni and the next steps in his development. Stefan Bajcetic is back in form and playing. And will Owen Beck be able to impose himself in the verbal exchange on the left-back in pre-season?
Ben Doak would be my choice. He stood out on loan at Middlesbrough, playing an important role for them and doing the same for Scotland abroad. There have been high hopes for the 19-year-old, and with a full season of absolute action under his belt, he may be in a position to take the next step when he returns.
Well, the quadruple is relevant…
I’m not going to get greedy. The idea of Slot winning the league title in his first season in England would be an incredible achievement. Liverpool are in an excellent position, and if they get over the line, it will be fun to actually get to celebrate this one in person given the 2020 commemorations were held behind closed doors because of Covid.
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But who would say no to a Champions League crown?The Slot team has looked good at the festival so far and has a great chance of winning it.
Oh. . . and let’s find out the contractual conditions of Salah, Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold: as soon as possible, please.
(Top photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images)