How Liverpool got back on their perch - & knocked Man Utd off it
Sir Alex Ferguson famously ensured that Manchester United surpassed Liverpool as the most successful side in English football, but in recent years, the Merseyside club has reclaimed its former dominance.
In September 2002, during a challenging period for United after consecutive losses, Ferguson made headlines with his memorable response to suggestions that he was facing a significant challenge. Legendary Liverpool defender Alan Hansen had implied that Ferguson was up against his toughest test yet.
When asked about Hansen's remarks during a press conference, Ferguson bluntly asserted, "My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their perch. And you can print that." These words became iconic, printed in newspapers and emblazoned on t-shirts, echoing every time United triumphed over Liverpool or secured another title.
1. FSG ride to the rescue
Following the takeover by US businessmen George Gillet and Tom Hicks, Liverpool faced significant turmoil despite reaching two Champions League finals in three years. The new owners failed to fulfill promises of bolstering the squad, leading the club towards financial instability.
Fenway Sports Group, led by John W Henry, the owner of the Boston Red Sox, stepped in to rescue Liverpool, acquiring the club for £300 million ($382 million) in October 2010. Under their stewardship, Liverpool underwent a remarkable transformation, culminating in the acquisition of two prestigious trophies in club football within a decade.
Although Fenway Sports Group made some missteps, notably their involvement in the ill-fated European Super League, they have generally made sound decisions, particularly in terms of recruitment.
2. Signing Suarez
Luis Suarez's arrival at Liverpool from Ajax for a modest fee of £23 million ($29 million) may have divided opinions, but his fiercely competitive mindset significantly elevated the club's status. Regarded as the best striker for Liverpool since Fernando Torres, Suarez's remarkable tally of 31 goals in the 2013-14 season propelled the team to the brink of the Premier League title, only for momentum to shift after Steven Gerrard's unfortunate slip against Chelsea.
Despite receiving a chilly reception upon his return to Anfield with Barcelona and later with Atletico Madrid, Suarez undeniably steered the club in the right direction and facilitated a substantial financial gain, with Liverpool pocketing £75 million ($95 million) from his subsequent transfer.
3. Buying and selling Coutinho
Liverpool's acquisition and subsequent sale of Philippe Coutinho may stand as one of the most remarkable transfer deals in football history. Securing Coutinho for a mere £8.5 million ($10.8 million) and later selling him to Barcelona for £142 million ($181 million) proved to be a masterstroke.
Coutinho significantly elevated Brendan Rodgers' team with his quality, contributing three goals and seven assists in just half a season. His partnership with fellow South American Luis Suarez further bolstered Liverpool's attacking prowess, propelling them close to the Premier League title.
Under Jurgen Klopp, Coutinho continued to excel, playing a pivotal role in the team's dynamic alongside Salah, Mane, and Firmino, forming the celebrated 'Fab Four'. However, Liverpool responded astutely to Barcelona's interest, utilizing the substantial transfer fee to secure key players like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson. This strategic move laid the groundwork for Liverpool's subsequent triumphs in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
4. The Klopp factor
Rodgers' accomplishments were soon overshadowed by the arrival of Jurgen Klopp as his successor. Liverpool had been eager to secure the services of the German manager, impressed by his achievements in leading Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final and consecutive Bundesliga titles. Klopp agreed to join Liverpool after a clandestine meeting in New York, cutting short his sabbatical.
In his first season, Klopp guided Liverpool to two finals, although they were unsuccessful in both. However, these losses were followed by numerous achievements under his leadership. Klopp's crowning achievement came with Liverpool's first league title in 30 years. Yet, his most enduring legacy lies in the strong bond he has forged with the supporters and the city of Liverpool.
5. Landing Salah
In the summer of 2017, both Liverpool and Manchester United opted to sign forwards who had previously been let go by Jose Mourinho. While United splashed out £75 million ($95 million) on Romelu Lukaku from Everton, Liverpool took a chance on Mohamed Salah, who had rejuvenated his career at Roma, securing his services for just £37 million ($47 million). It's clear that Liverpool made the more astute decision.
In less than seven seasons, Salah has amassed an impressive tally of 206 goals and provided 90 assists, cementing his place among Liverpool's top five goal scorers of all time and surpassing Steven Gerrard as the club's leading scorer in the Premier League. Additionally, Salah has captivated fans with some of the most memorable goals witnessed at Anfield, while also playing a pivotal role in Liverpool's triumphs, clinching eight trophies. Conversely, Lukaku endured two disappointing seasons at United, devoid of any silverware, before departing the club.
6. Van Dijk completes the jigsaw
After a prolonged pursuit, Liverpool finally secured the signature of Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in January 2018 for a record-breaking fee of £75 million ($95 million), making him the world's most expensive defender. This acquisition came after a controversial meeting between Klopp and the defender in a Blackpool hotel. Despite facing accusations of hypocrisy due to his previous criticism of Manchester United's record-breaking fee for Paul Pogba, Klopp's decision to sign Van Dijk proved to be immensely successful.
Van Dijk seamlessly integrated into Klopp's defensive setup, providing stability and leadership to Liverpool's backline. His impact was immediate, contributing to the team's success in reaching consecutive Champions League finals and clinching their first league title in 30 years. However, Liverpool's title defense suffered a significant setback when Van Dijk sustained a serious knee injury early in the following campaign, highlighting his importance to the team's success.
Now back to his best form, Van Dijk recently showcased his prowess by scoring the winning goal in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea and delivering an impressive performance against Manchester City. In comparison, he has proven to be a far more successful investment than Manchester United's most expensive defender, Harry Maguire.
7. Champions League glory
Liverpool's legacy has been significantly shaped by their European success, particularly during the 1980s with four European Cup triumphs, along with the memorable Miracle of Istanbul in 2005. Prior to Klopp's arrival, the club had experienced a drought in European glory for over a decade. However, under the guidance of the German manager, Liverpool quickly emerged as a force to be reckoned with on the continent, reaching the Champions League final in 2018.
Although they suffered defeat to Real Madrid in challenging circumstances, Liverpool bounced back stronger, producing remarkable performances to eliminate Bayern Munich and Barcelona, including an unforgettable 4-0 victory over Lionel Messi's Barcelona at Anfield. This culminated in their sixth European Cup triumph with a victory over Tottenham in Madrid, prompting Klopp to jubilantly burst into song during a post-match interview.
Despite reaching the final again in 2022, Liverpool's defeat to Madrid was marred by disgraceful incidents outside the Stade de France. However, Klopp still has the potential to cap off his tenure with Liverpool by leading them to Europa League glory in Dublin this season.
On the other hand, Manchester United has faced a series of disappointments in European competitions since their Europa League triumph in 2017. Their humiliating exit from the Champions League this season, finishing at the bottom of a seemingly straightforward group, further underscores their struggles on the continental stage.
8. League title at last
Liverpool's evolution under Klopp was deemed incomplete until they secured a long-awaited league title, a feat unaccomplished by any coach since Kenny Dalglish in 1990. Despite close calls from managers like Roy Evans, Rafa Benitez, and Brendan Rodgers, as well as Klopp himself, whose team narrowly missed out to City by a single point in 2019, Liverpool demonstrated remarkable mental fortitude.
Rather than being disheartened by their narrow miss, Liverpool showcased their resilience by delivering an extraordinary campaign, clinching the title with seven games remaining—a Premier League record. Their commanding lead of 23 points was also unprecedented in English top-flight history.
This title triumph not only immortalized Klopp's legacy but also brought Liverpool within striking distance of equalling United's tally of 20 league titles, firmly reestablishing their dominance in English football.
