Where Are They Now: Jürgen Klopp's First Liverpool XI
Not many have survived the manager's reign.
It's been 30 years since it last happened, but 2020 saw Liverpool finally crowned the Champions of England. The Premier League trophy had eluded the Reds ever since its inception, but led by the likes of Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Dijk, and Alisson Becker, the team finally captured the title.
Though they came close back in 2014, ultimately being unraveled by the legendary Steven Gerrard slip, recent years hadn't been kind to Liverpool. The club was plagued by mid table finishes, poor managerial appointments, and signings that left far too much to be desired, as the only trophy they lifted was the Carling Cup in 2012.
The major turning point however, was the appointment of Jürgen Klopp. The German had previously made a footballing powerhouse of Borussia Dortmund, and had now traveled to England to do the same on Merseyside. Five years later, Liverpool have been sculpted into both Champions League and Premier League winners.
The team have certainly come a long way since Klopp's first game all the way back in October 2015. A solid, if unspectacular 0-0 draw with Tottenham welcomed Klopp to Merseyside, and it's fair to say that in the five years that have followed, the first team has improved immeasurably. But how did Liverpool look when Klopp first arrived, and what have those 11 players done in the years since?
11. Divock Origi
Though he was started by Klopp back in 2015, with a front three of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane today, no one is expecting Divock Origi to lead the Liverpool line any time soon. However, the Belgian striker has still managed to carve a Liverpool legacy for himself.
Some fans have even called for an Origi statue outside Anfield, thanks to his incredible and invaluable ability to score big goals for the club. There was the bizarre last second winner against Everton which was special, but nothing compared to the two he netted in Liverpool's famous 4-0 comeback win against Barcelona. Origi will be forever immortalized thanks to THAT corner.
The striker has been on Liverpool's books for a staggering six years at this point, and over the last few years in particular, has embraced his role within the club.
How long he will stay with the Reds, and remain happy starting very few games, no one can say, particularly after the way he stayed on the pitch drinking in Anfield after their trophy presentation, but for the time being, Origi is a Red and the fans love him.