The current Liverpool manager has a distinct playing philosophy, requiring his players to instantly win the ball after losing possession. Klopp’s system involves a high defensive line and players who do a great deal of running.
He first demonstrated the efficacy of his system at Borussia Dortmund, winning consecutive Bundesliga titles. Klopp then took things up a notch at Liverpool, winning the Champions League and Premier League in successive seasons.
Unsurprisingly, many top players, especially strikers and wingers, have flourished under Klopp. On that note, here’s a look at the five players with the most goals under the legendary German tactician:
#5 Michael Thurk - 59 goals
Michael Thurk is one of the most unlikely names on this list. Nevertheless, the former centre-forward scored 59 times in 163 games across competitions under Jurgen Klopp in six seasons at Mainz in the early 2000s.
That tally includes 38 strikes in the German second division (2.Bundesliga) and 18 in the Bundesliga. Thunk’s 13 goals and an assist in 2003-04 helped Mainz earn promotion to the German top flight.
Thurk is the first player to score over 50 goals under Klopp, a mark subsequently achieved by only a handful of players.
In his final season under Klopp in 2005-06, Thurk bagged 12 goals and six assists in the Bundesliga, helping Mainz finish 11th in the league table.
#4 Roberto Firmino - 95 goals
Roberto Firmino is one of the most underrated attackers in the game, but has enjoyed a fine stint under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
The 30-year-old Brazilian has played over 300 games across competitions for the Reds under Klopp, scoring nearly 100 goals and dishing out an impressive 73 assists. He remains a key player despite losing his place in the starting lineup to the emerging Diogo Jota.
Firmino, along with his teammates Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane (more on them later), forms one of the most attacking tridents in world football. The Brazilian is not a quintessential prolific No.9, but has a key role in Jurgen Klopp’s team.
The Liverpool manager recently said about Bobby:
Klopp added:
#3 Robert Lewandowski - 103 goals
Robert Lewandowski is one of the most prolific goalscorers in the history of the game.
The Bayern Munich goal machine first made his name as a world-class striker during four years under Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund. Lewandowski scored a century of goals in nearly 200 games under the German, the most he has netted under any manager. This includes 30 goals and 11 assists in BvB’s successful Bundesliga campaigns in 2010-11 and 2011-12.
In a later interview, Klopp took the Pole’s name when asked about the best player he has worked with, saying:
Lewandowski has no qualms admitting the role Klopp has played in his development, saying:
With 331 goals, Lewandowski is only behind the late Gerd Muller (523) in Bayern Munich’s all-time scoring charts.
#2 Sadio Mane - 108 goals
Sadio Mane is one of the best wingers in the game at the moment. The 29-year-old Senegalese has evolved into a world-class player since joining forces with Jurgen Klopp in the summer of 2016.
With 108 strikes (and 44 assists), Mane is one of only three players to score over 100 goals under Klopp. A pivotal component of the Reds’ famed attacking triumvirate, Mane has played a key role in their Champions League and Premier League triumphs in the last three years.
Klopp recently said about Mane:
#1 Mohamed Salah - 150 goals
Mohamed Salah is one of the best players in the world, going by current form. He has been a revelation since arriving at Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the summer of 2017.
The Egyptian winger scored in the Reds’ 3-1 Premier League win over Norwich City to become the second-quickest player, 10th overall, to net 150 times for the club. He’s the first to reach that landmark under Klopp.
Jurgen Klopp said after Salah reached the landmark:
The Egyptian has notched up 25 goals and nine assists across competitions this season.
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