When Jurgen Klopp first took over Liverpool in October 2015, the club was in disarray. Despite an impressive campaign the year prior – when Brendan Rodgers took the Reds’ to the brink of a first Premier League title in over 20 years -, Liverpool were languishing even in the Europa League. They were also way down in 10th in the Premier League table, and a million miles away from the juggernaut they have become today.
That first campaign wasn’t a clear indicator of what was to come. While Leicester City were busy providing us with one of football’s greatest shocks – romping to the Premier League title despite being 5000/1 outsiders at the start of the campaign – Liverpool finished the season way down in eighth. They also were humbled by Sevilla in the Europa League final, losing 3-1 after Daniel Sturridge gave the Anfield club an early lead in Basel.
But the following season, spearheaded by the incomparable Philippe Coutinho, the club returned to the UEFA Champions League. It’s a competition that Liverpool have an affinity with like no other. And once Klopp’s side returned to the most elite dinner table in Europe, they never looked back.
The Reds’ 2022/23 Champions League campaign has just gotten underway at Napoli, so let’s take a look back at two of the most memorable opening games from the Jurgen Klopp Era.
Liverpool vs Paris Saint-Germain, 3-2 – 2018/19
Back in 2018, Liverpool were still reeling from a heartbreaking defeat in Kyiv. An early injury to superstar Mohamed Salah – who had scored 44 goals in all competitions – as well as two clangers from goalkeeper Loris Karius, meant that the Reds’ slipped to a 3-1 defeat in their first Champions League final since 2007.
The following season, it looked like their new European campaign would get off to a disappointing start. Liverpool were drawn alongside French powerhouses Paris Saint-Germain in Group C, with superstars Neymar and Kylian Mbappe – fresh off of winning the FIFA World Cup with France – traveling to Anfield on match day one.
The Reds’ got off to an incredible start, racing to a two goal lead thanks to Daniel Sturridge’s header and James Milner’s penalty. Thomas Meunier would pull one back just before halftime and then, with ten minutes remaining, Mbappe slotted home to steal an unlikely point for the visitors. Or so they thought…
Step up, Roberto Firmino. Deep into stoppage time, the Brazilian striker twisted and turned inside the penalty area before smashing home from a tight angle to give the hosts a deserved three points.
Liverpool vs AC Milan, 3-2 – 2021/22
It was a similar story last season. Just as the Reds had been given a difficult draw in in 2018/19, they had to endure the group of death last term, having been drawn alongside two-time finalists Atletico Madrid, 2004 champions FC Porto, and AC Milan – the returning seven-time champions who had not featured in the competition in eight years.
On matchday one, it was the Rossoneri who traveled to Anfield. Their return to European football couldn’t have gotten off to a more difficult start. And that was confirmed after just nine minutes when English center back Fikayo Tomori put one in his own net. Lift off.
But just as Paris Saint-Germain did three years prior, Milan came roaring back. Two goals in two minutes just before halftime from Ante Rebic and Brahim Diaz meant that the traveling Italians had secured a shock half-time lead but, once again, Jurgen Klopp’s side showed their mettle.
In the second half, the hosts came out and attacked from the off. They were given their just rewards three minutes after the restart when Mo Salah equalized.
It looked as if the game was heading toward a stalemate. But then, in the last minute of normal time, captain Jordan Henderson led by example. His stunning half volley from the edge of the box was enough to seal victory and ensure a perfect start to their Champions League season. Another game to remember.
