The evolution of Liverpool's starting XI under Jurgen Klopp

The squad that the German inherited bears almost zero resemblance to the one that he leaves for his successor

October 2015 almost feels like a different generation. Unbeknownst to us at the time, Leicester were on their way to Premier League glory, with the likes of Stoke and Swansea among the teams in the top flight. Spain were the reigning European champions, Roy Hodgson was in charge of England and Mikel Arteta was playing for Arsenal rather than managing them.

Liverpool were languising in 10th place in the league table and the owners felt that the time was right for a change of tack. Out went Brendan Rodgers after three-and-a-bit seasons and in came a vivacious German by the name of Jurgen Klopp. His promise to turn ‘doubters into believers’ would be fulfilled, but the journey to greatness was a gradual evolution rather than a frantic, mid-2000s Chelsea-esque revolution.

In this piece, we look at how the Liverpool first team has evolved season by season under the 56-year-old.