A Storm Is Coming:Mr Gegenpressing:Klopp's Chapter at The KOP

Jürgen Norbert Klopp is at the Kop and they are mightily glad about it. The German tinker man was captured with the hope that he could awake the sleeping giant that is Liverpool FC. He has gone about doing this with his usual charismatic nature and wide grin, assuring hearts both on and off the field. He has certainly established a superb bond with the fans and is adored by most of his players, if not all. He did it with Mainz, the Dortmund; will Liverpool follow the same trajectory? The Anfield faithful think so. His efforts last season with an inherited squad and not much time for training due to an unreal fixture list has turned Liverpool fans from doubters to believers.

An enigma by nature, he likes his teams to be every bit as enigmatic as their iconic manager. Building strong team camaraderie provides the basis for him to instil an ‘all for one and one for all’ mentality into his charges.  His most famous tactic, ‘Gegenpressing’ or counter-pressing tasks his charges to hound any ball playing opponent and snap at their heels till they eventually cough up possession. Once in possession, fast, purposeful and incisive passing combined with frightening speed enables his players to overwhelm his opponents. At a glance this might look like a simple matter of keeping all players fit enough to do the hounding. Not quite. Tactical discipline and intelligence are indispensible in applying this style of play. His players have to know when to overwhelm, when to ease up and take it cool, when to suck in and opponent and when to flat out pummel their opposition into submission. The speed of this method often leaves teams not knowing what has hit them and before they know it, they have ripped to shreds by this mean German-made-and-driven machine- R. I. P Manchester City. A wild style of play, but as you can see, there is a method to the madness.

Not many flaws can be found in Klopp’s vicious style of play. But one is enough to make the cookie crumble. The apparent lack of a ‘plan B’ has haunted Herr Klopp on many occasions. His last season at Dortmund and the Europa League final decimation of Liverpool by Sevilla threw up a question Klopp has undoubtedly faced before - What next when Gegenpressing fails? Liverpool fans will hope he has found an answer to that. If not, Liverpool will be easy pickings for other elite managers in the premier league this season. It did take Dortmund all of seven seasons to finally go off the rails. Not bad.

All in all, if there is a modern day manager who will embody the heart and soul of the Liverpool Country as Bill Shankly did, it’s this explosive German. His press conferences should keep us entertained for years to come. He has breathed new life into the club in all aspects with his loveable nature. Will Klopp Flop? Kopites would disagree. He is crazy and the fans love him for it. After all, a very wise Kopite once said; ‘You need a little bit of insanity to achieve great things’. Well Said. Klopp is at the Kop and Kopites sure are ‘Klopptimistic’. The Klopp is ticking.

Kaizer