Jurgen Klopp calling Liverpool title win 'nearly perfect' sums up what's changed

Daily Mirror

25-05-2025

Jurgen Klopp's admission that his 2020 Premier League-winning Liverpool squad had to be 'near perfect' to lift the trophy speaks volumes about the current state of the top-flight
Liverpool's title win five years ago under Jurgen Klopp was dubbed 'near perfect' by the German. But, Arne Slot's Reds haven't had to be anywhere near faultless during their successful top-flight campaign, with rivals lacking.
Another Premier League trophy is set to be raised aloft at Anfield, and memories resurface of the last time the title was won on Merseyside, in 2020. Under the iconic Klopp, an impervious group of players made amends for a 97-point runners-up campaign the previous term with a 99-point top-flight dominance.
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During this stint, just three matches were lost and three drawn, with 32 wins, meaning the title went to the Reds. After the accolade was won, boss Klopp expressed that his side had to be 'near perfect' in their pursuit of the trophy, with the omnipotent Manchester City lurking.
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Yet, this time around, in a remarkable debut campaign for Dutch manager Slot, being close to perfection was unnecessary, and the chasing pack showed little fight.
"100 per cent, we did it in the right manner. We finished it on a high," uttered Klopp five years ago, speaking after his team had just beaten Newcastle in the last game of an extraordinary season.
"The football part of the year was exceptional. 99 points. European Super Cup, Club World Cup, Premier League, 99 points after 97 last season. We were unlucky a bit last year with 97, but it was clear to win against this team, you need to be nearly perfect, and the boys were nearly perfect. It will have a special place in my own memories, that is for sure.
"Today we needed a little wake-up call [Newcastle scored after 24 seconds]. From that moment, the boys worked hard against the defensive wall of Newcastle. We don't only win on a perfect day, the boys dig deep on the not-so-perfect days, and that is what I like."
In stark contrast to that title-winning campaign and the one before it, when 97 points wasn't enough to be crowned champions, this Premier League season has not required flawlessness.
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On their way to a dominant title win, Slot's men have mustered a respectable 25 wins and 83 points before they play Crystal Palace on the last day of the season.
However, unlike Klopp's champions, the Reds have drawn eight times this season and fallen to defeat on four occasions. Their closet challengers, Arsenal, had opportunities to put the pressure on, but did not. Usual contenders City have endured a challenging year.
The Reds were not heavy favourites to win the crown before the season began, with many expecting both City and the Gunners to renew a rivalry that spanned the last two campaigns.
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Alas, both of these sides faltered, and Liverpool benefited. They did not need to be perfect in the presence of no real title rivals, indicating how the shape of the league has changed from Klopp's reign.
Looking ahead to next term, Slot admitted that this season hasn't proven that his side has an elite mentality, and whether they go back-to-back will determine if this cohort are serial winners.
"We have a lot to compete for next season again, but what I don't know yet – and that's going to be the interesting one – is if we have this elite mentality, this serial winner mentality, of showing up season after season after season," said Slot.
"Many teams have won the Premier League once, but not many have won multiple seasons in a row – and that's for a reason. I think the league has never been as strong as it is."
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