‘Winning helps’ – How Klopp’s leadership revolutionised Liverpool FC and Beyond | OneFootball

The Transformer Effect: How Jurgen Klopp Revolutionised Liverpool

In a special episode of the Pro Plus podcast on Anfield Index, Neil Atkinson of The Anfield Wrap sat down with Eddie Gibbs from Anfield Index to discuss Neil’s latest book Transformer: Klopp, the Revolution of a Club and Culture.

This in-depth discussion about Klopp’s time at Liverpool and the city itself provides a wealth of insights for any Liverpool fan or football enthusiast. From Klopp’s impact on the pitch to his influence on fan media, Atkinson’s analysis brings Klopp’s transformation of Liverpool FC into sharp focus.

Klopp: Transformer, Not Creator

Atkinson opens by emphasising the key premise of his book: Klopp didn’t build everything from scratch at Liverpool; instead, he transformed what was already in place. As Atkinson noted, “He turns up and Pep Lijnders is already there as a coach. He’s already got players like Henderson and Firmino.” Klopp’s role wasn’t to reinvent Liverpool but to channel its latent potential into a successful force. “Liverpool had undergone significant changes even before Klopp arrived,” Atkinson said, referencing the club’s ups and downs during the post-Rafa Benitez years.

The transformation wasn’t just limited to football. Atkinson explains how Klopp understood the importance of the city, recognising Liverpool’s potential both on and off the pitch. “Like Shankly, Klopp knew that if you make it big in Liverpool, you make it massive,” Atkinson said. This acknowledgment helped galvanise the entire community, with Klopp acting as a catalyst for a wider cultural transformation.

The Role of Success in Klopp’s Era

One of the core messages from the podcast is how success fundamentally changes everything. As Atkinson repeatedly says, “Winning helps.” Klopp’s ability to secure major victories for Liverpool, including the Champions League in 2019, did wonders not only for the club’s global standing but also for the morale of its supporters and subsequently the growth of fan media platforms such as The Anfield Wrap and Anfield Index. “There’s no formula for this anymore, nothing else leads to subscribers… it’s just big wins and transfers,” Atkinson added, pointing out how Liverpool’s fan-driven media thrived on the back of the team’s on-pitch success.

Atkinson described how The Anfield Wrap, which predates Klopp’s arrival, witnessed a surge in subscriptions as Liverpool started winning under Klopp. “We had a rash of subscriptions the day Klopp came in,” Atkinson reflected. This goes to show how much Klopp’s success helped fan media like The Anfield Wrap and Anfield Index to flourish. Klopp’s era became a defining period for both the club and the broader community that surrounds it.

Transformative Era For LFC and The City of Liverpool

It wasn’t just the football club that benefited from Klopp’s leadership. The city of Liverpool itself enjoyed the rewards of a revitalised football culture. Atkinson touched on this point: “The transformation of the city and Klopp’s part in that… even Evertonians benefited from the rise of the nighttime economy and the boom in hotels.” Football, and specifically Liverpool FC, became intertwined with the city’s resurgence. As Atkinson pointed out, Liverpool’s success brought economic benefits not just to the club but to the city’s wider ecosystem.

As Atkinson explained, this was no accident. Klopp’s transformative power wasn’t just about tactical nous but also his ability to foster a deeper connection between the club, the city, and its people. “He changed the weather around everything,” said Atkinson, referring to how Klopp’s inclusive style made everyone, from the fans to the players, feel part of a shared journey.

Klopp’s Legacy Beyond the Pitch

Jurgen Klopp’s departure in 2024 marked the end of an era, but as Atkinson emphasised, the legacy of his transformative years will endure. “Klopp’s impact goes beyond trophies,” Atkinson said, highlighting how Klopp reshaped Liverpool’s identity both locally and globally. The connection Klopp forged between the club, the fans, and the city ensured that his tenure wasn’t just about winning games—it was about creating a lasting change.

In sum, Neil Atkinson’s conversation with Eddie Gibbs in this Pro Plus podcast offers an insightful reflection on Klopp’s time at Liverpool. Klopp’s influence transcended the football pitch, impacting fan media, the city’s economy, and the broader culture of the club. As Atkinson summarised, “Klopp transformed Liverpool, but it was always there; he just brought it to the surface.”