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Success in terms of trophies had initially been hard to come by for Liverpool FC.
During the 2018-2019 season, the team achieved an impressive tally of 97 points. However, even with such a high score, they narrowly lost the league title to Manchester City by just one point.
Additionally, Liverpool faced disappointment in the League Cup and Europa League finals in 2016, as well as in the 2018 Champions League final.
Nonetheless, the efforts of manager Jürgen Klopp and his staff were ultimately rewarded when Liverpool secured their first major trophy under his leadership by defeating Tottenham 2-0 in the 2019 Champions League final.
This victory showcased the blend of tactical ingenuity, emotional intensity, and exhilarating football that has come to define Klopp’s approach—a style that his successor, Slot, has fine-tuned rather than completely changed.
“Our strategy is to pressure the opponent, not letting them find their rhythm,” explained Krawietz. “On the pitch, they will only do what we allow them, being dominant even without possession, and the aim is to win the ball high up and quickly push towards the goal.”
He noted the need for evolution, stating, “We adapted over time, continuously learning while remaining true to our fundamental ideas.”
Krawietz emphasized that convincing the players of the game plan was crucial, as was winning over the skeptics outside the squad, transforming them into supporters of their vision.
He acknowledged that Klopp’s tactical approach could sometimes seem “wild,” but maintained that it was integral to their philosophy. The 2019 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona served as a prime illustration of this strategy.
After losing the first leg 3-0 at the Nou Camp, Liverpool appeared to be on the brink of elimination, yet they orchestrated one of the most remarkable comebacks in Champions League history.
“In the dressing room after that first match, a pivotal moment occurred when Jurgen stood up and said, ‘Gentlemen, this match is not over yet. We have half-time. Yes, we are 3-0 down, but we are Liverpool and will play next week at home,’” recalled Krawietz.
He further explained, “For us, football is about playing with your heart. While strategy and tactics are essential, it’s equally important to enable the team to connect with the atmosphere of the stadium, the support from fans, and to harness the energy in home games, particularly at Anfield. This was the essence we aimed to cultivate.”
Source
www.bbc.com