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Jürgen Klopp’s time as Liverpool FC manager has seen the club break numerous records, end the title drought and turn skeptics into believers. A major factor in Liverpool’s success under Klopp has been their remarkable success at home.
In the years before Klopp was hired to put the Reds back in their prime, Anfield’s reputation as a fortress where visiting teams would be lucky enough to escape with a result had begun to wane. That’s not to say it was an easy place for opponents to play, but the course didn’t seem to have the same feel for which it was known for much of the club’s history.
Klopp himself took note of this in the early days of his tenure when he called out the Anfield faithful for failing to create the atmosphere that was needed to make the clubhouse a fortress once again.
It didn’t take long for Klopp’s goal of turning skeptics into believers to take shape and, as the atmosphere on the pitch grew, Liverpool’s form improved. Since then, Liverpool have become a near unstoppable force when playing at home, where they have not lost a Premier League match since a 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace in April 2017.
Since that day, the Reds have played 62 league games at Anfield. They have won 51 of those games, drawn 11 and have not lost a single one. If they can continue that trend against West Ham tomorrow, they will match a club record that was set when the legendary Bob Paisley oversaw a 63-game unbeaten streak in the league from 1978 to 1981.
Matching a 40-year record that was set by one of the greatest icons in club history would be a remarkable achievement, especially considering how far the club has come since Klopp took over. It’s a wonderful reminder that Klopp is a world-class coach who has put Liverpool back in their place and made Anfield an extremely difficult place to play once again.
It’s a real shame that the Kop is empty when Jürgen’s Reds take the field tomorrow. Believers deserve to be there to cheer on the boys as they try to extend Anfield’s undefeated streak to 63. But ultimately, whether the stands are full or empty, whether Liverpool equals the record or not, the fact that Jürgen Klopp has managed to get to a point where this is even a possibility is something to celebrate.
Whatever happens tomorrow, Klopp has made it a real joy to be a Liverpool fan. His side has brought light to so many lives at a time when the world can feel so dark. For that, I am eternally grateful. Raise the (hopefully) red record!
