Can Liverpool 2.0 remain a force minus Klopp factor?

Jurgen Klopp has spent the last few years imbuing Liverpool with confidence about his team and the last few weeks trying to fill them with optimism about a future without him. An ability to make supporters feel better about their club can seem one of his greatest assets as a communicator. Perhaps Klopp’s buoyancy will be part of his legacy but some of his predictions can take on a prophetic feel: give people enough hope and the remarkable can become the reality.

- RICHARD JOLLY

Yet if it has long been apparent that Klopp’s bequest to his successor would be far better than his inheritance – a team in 10th, a club with one trophy in nine years, distanced from the English elite, yet alone their European counterparts – the spell since he announced he will leave in the summer has served to support his case and justify his positivity. Liverpool have nine wins in 11 games, a trophy secured, and a quadruple still very much possible as they go into tonight’s last-16 Europa League tie against Sparta Prague at Anfield with a 5-1 lead from the first leg.

As important, though, are the circumstances. Liverpool’s succession planning gathered pace with Michael Edwards’ return to Anfield confirmed, the former sporting director assuming control under his new role as Fenway Sports Group’s CEO of football. “Top news for the club,” said Klopp. “I am really happy. I just want this club to do as well as possible, and I’m really sure [that can happen] if we create a good basis with the right people in charge and Michael is a top choice.”