WE all know the words — as much as they may stick in the throat — about how, at the end of the storm, there’s a golden sky.
Unfortunately for Liverpool fans, most of their heroes in recent years have decided that golden sky shines brightest over Madrid, Barcelona or — worst of all — even Manchester.
Jurgen Klopp has created a family environment at Liverpool and it’s having positive results on the pitchCredit: PA:Press Association
Javier Mascherano, Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling, Luis Suarez and even further back, the likes of Michael Owen.
All of them Kop heroes. All of them set on the road to greatness at Anfield. All of them out of there in a shot when the REAL big guns came calling.
Yes, Liverpool were the club where they made their name, or got their big break.
Yet a long-term, stay-for-good kind of place? Thanks but no thanks. More a stepping stone en route to a more glittering and glitzy future elsewhere.
The fact was, however big a hero you were — barring the obvious two of Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard — the lure of winning bigger things elsewhere was always too great.
And now they are top of the shop, it seems the European vultures are starting to circle again.
Real Madrid casting envious glances at Sadio Mane, Juventus at Virgil van Dijk…
Klopp stood up for his Liverpool players after their 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid on TuesdayCredit: EPA
Now, though, there is one big difference. There is no fait accompli. No resigned shrug of the shoulders on the Kop. No guarantee anyone will actually WANT to go.
Now there is Jurgen Klopp, the man who is genuinely starting to rival Bill Shankly in terms of transforming the club.
Of course, being the Premier League’s top dogs is a big factor in making Anfield a go-to, rather than get-out-of, place.
Even more than winning the Champions League — but it hasn’t stopped players wanting to move in the past.
No club has been more dominant in the Premier League era than Manchester United but Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham chose to leave.
Yet while United mopped up trophies for fun, not even in their pomp could they match Liverpool for something — the genuine love between players and manager. Yes, there was respect, admiration and gratitude.
But how many times did you see the stars dashing to the touchline to celebrate with the boss?
So many players at so many clubs claim it is “one big, happy family”.
Yet under Klopp, when they do so, you genuinely believe them because it quite clearly is true.
How many times after the final whistle — and not just in finals or showpiece fixtures — were United, or Arsenal under Arsene Wenger, dancing a jig with the gaffer at the centre?
They worship him, he protects them. We saw it again in Madrid this week, when he was so outraged at what he saw as a raw deal off the ref.
He acts with genuine concern for his players and his club.
Klopp just gets it. He gets Liverpool, gets what it means, gets the fans, gets the players — and gets it back in spades.
Let’s be honest, we all know bosses whose man-management is straight from the Attila the Hun school. Men for whom a grunted ‘Hello’ or nod is their version of a warm embrace.
Jose Mourinho is both examples in one.
At Chelsea first time around, the likes of John Terry and Frank Lampard, all of them, would have done anything for their manager. Then look at the Jose at Manchester United.
A man barely on speaking terms with star Paul Pogba and all too happy to hang his lads out to dry in public.
Of course, an arm around the shoulder won’t guarantee a great performance.
But a metaphoric hand around the throat will pretty much guarantee a poorer one.
Liverpool players no longer want to leave for Spanish giants, or even Man CityCredit: Rex Features
If you’re a boss who wants someone to run through walls, it’s not rocket science to show the troops what they mean.
That’s why Liverpool genuinely ARE the happiest footballing family in Europe.
That’s why, next time the so-called big guns come calling, they will find a locked door rather than a welcome mat.
After West Ham visit tomorrow, they will probably be just three wins away from a first Premier League title.
And finally, after years and years, they will be a club where players want to join and stay, rather than just be a nice addition to the CV.
Klopp hasn’t just changed the fortunes at a club, he’s changing the name — from Liverpool to Loverpool.
THERE is a suggestion Leroy Sane will be sold to offset the financial loss Manchester City’s European ban will cause. No. He. Won’t.
The £370million Silver Lake paid for a ten per cent share will go into the club and the team rather than Sheikh Mansour’s pocket.
It is worth over double what City would miss from spending two years with no Champions League football.
If Sane goes, with Bayern Munich very keen, it will be due to him refusing to sign a new deal.
It won’t be down to the owners worrying about the price of a pint of milk and a loaf.
Leroy Sane will not be sold by Man City despite their Champions League banCredit: Splash News
ERLING HAALAND scored again for Borussia Dortmund yesterday afternoon, making it 12 goals in eight games — and 40 in total this season.
He has reached ten Champions League goals four games faster than anyone else in its history. Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have nine each in total.
His opponents, when with Salzburg, included Napoli and Liverpool. He is 19 years old.
On Thursday Odion Ighalo, 30, came on for 23 minutes for Manchester United in Bruges and never had a sniff. Three days after a cameo debut at Chelsea when he missed a sitter.
Incidentally, just a thought, but will United return for Haaland in the summer and trigger his £63million release clause? If they have clinched a Champions League finish, you wouldn’t be surprised.
Erling Haaland cannot stop scoring for Borussia Dortmund since snubbing Man UtdCredit: Getty Images – Getty
ONE more thing from the fall-out of Manchester City’s two-year European ban.
Winning the Champions League in normal circumstances would have been tough enough. Doing so now would leave the Nyon-based gin-sippers with the reddest faces.
Those 50-50 calls may just have turned into 30-70 ones…
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
