An inconsistent start to life at Anfield means the swashbuckling German has complicated his task of returning the Reds to Europe's elite
Jurgen Klopp can do his best to downplay the hero’s welcome awaiting him in Germany on Thursday night, but he might just be better off actively encouraging it.
For while Borussia Dortmund fans need no reminding of his capabilities following seven astonishing years at the Westfalenstadion, six months after his arrival at Anfield, supporters of his new club could still do with convincing.
There was a telling stat doing the rounds on television and social media before Liverpool’s game against Tottenham this weekend.
Klopp’s record in his first 21 Premier League games had exactly mirrored the final 21 that ultimately earned Brendan Rodgers the sack.
The 1-1 draw that followed will not have done much to skew the numbers.
Even coming against title-chasing Spurs, the point was still tinged with frustration given that it came at home and it was Liverpool who took the lead.
But then Klopp has had a tendency on Merseyside to leave people wanting more, with Liverpool lagging a whole nine points behind the top four.
For all the talk of needing time to settle in and put his stamp on the squad, there is no doubt that the Reds could – and should – be doing much better under the German.
Not spurning 2-0 leads at home to Sunderland and away to Southampton would account for five points alone.
Throw in their game in hand and Liverpool could have already been on the cusp of qualifying for the Champions League via the usual route.
Instead, if they are to catch up with Europe’s elite this season then they are going to have to go the long way round – namely by winning the Europa League.
Not exactly an easy prospect, particularly considering the identity of their quarter-final opponents.
Since succeeding Klopp, Dortmund’s upwards trajectory under Thomas Tuchel has rivalled even that of his predecessor.
Having finished seventh in the Bundesliga last season, they are currently just five points behind a rampant Bayern Munich side in second.
Not yet out of the German title race and 19 points clear of Hertha Berlin in second, Dortmund have their own qualification for the Champions League next season already wrapped up.
The fact they are also overwhelming favourites to do so by winning the Europa League is merely an enjoyable back-up plan.
With 34 goals in 13 games in the competition so far, the German side are the stand-out team in the competition – proven by the 5-1 demolition of Tottenham over two legs in the previous round.
Yet Klopp’s saving grace at Liverpool so far has been his ability to pull surprise results out of the bag – particularly away from home – that hint at better things to come.
Resounding victories at Stamford Bridge and the Etihad early on in his reign have been the highlights in the Premier League, with his side also the only team other than Arsenal to have beaten leaders Leicester City this season.
The 6-1 thrashing of Southampton at St Mary’s set the Reds up for a run to the League Cup final, which they narrowly lost on penalties to Manchester City.
Their outclassing of Manchester United to reach this stage, meanwhile, meant that an eagerly-anticipated tie actually ended up being rather underwhelming.
When it has mattered most, Klopp’s Liverpool have tended to play above themselves.
Now they must do so again.
The effervescent German took two years at Dortmund to lay the foundations for a string of success that would establish his reputation as one of the most exciting coaches on the continent.
To be given the same amount of time to reverse Liverpool’s fortunes in the same understated manner would require plenty of patience from both the board and fans, and would not exactly sit comfortably with the swashbuckling cult of personality that he has created.
Much more rock’n’roll, surely, to kick the competition’s trend-setters out of the way, steal their crown and force your way in through the back door.
Now that would remind everybody exactly what all the fuss is about.
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