A season-by-season look at Klopp's rebuild of Liverpool: Five titles, nine finals and one fearsome team

The father of all Liverpool's recent success is Jurgen Klopp. There is no doubt about it.

The former Mainz and Borussia Dortmund boss already ranks alongside Bob Paisley and Bill Shankly as one of the Reds' most influential coaches.

Klopp arrived in 2015 to a sunken team. Liverpool had won just one trophy in the previous nine years, the 2011/12 League Cup, and had only been able to reach the Champions League group stage once in six seasons.

Now, things are different. They are one of the most dominant teams in Europe. Under Klopp, they have won five titles, played in nine finals and even had dreams of a quadruple this season.

How has Klopp taken Liverpool to the top of English and European football?

2015/16

His first two finals... but both defeats

Liverpool announced the arrival of Klopp as Brendan Rodgers' replacement on October 8, 2015, with the season already underway.

The Reds, after eight games, were 10th in the Premier League with 12 points from a possible 24. Leaders Manchester City were already six points clear.

"Please give us time to work," Klopp begged. "I think in four years' time we can win a title. If not, maybe the next one I will win will be in Switzerland."

In his first year, Klopp opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, but he was unable to turn around the side's erratic form in the Premier League, and they finished eighth.

However, he managed to get the team into two finals. Both, however, he lost. They lost to City on penalties in the League Cup, and lost to Sevilla in the Europa League after eliminating Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal en route to the final.

Daniel Sturridge (13 goals), now with Perth Glory in Australia, finished as the Reds' top scorer in all competitions. Simon Mignolet (55) played the most games. How things have changed.

2016/17

Liverpool return to the Champions League

Klopp began to shape the Liverpool of the future from the summer, and a lot of players were moved on.

In turn, important players like Joel Matip, Sadio Mane, and Georginio Wijnaldum arrived. That summer, Loris Karius was also signed with the intention of reinforcing the competition in goal.

Klopp's great success this season was leading Liverpool to the Champions League places. The Reds (76 points) finished fourth behind Manchester City (78) and Tottenham (86). They were still a long way behind Antonio Conte's Chelsea, champions with 93 points.

Nathaniel Clyne, who was ostracised through injury before moving to Palace, was the most used player, making 40 appearances. Philippe Coutinho finished top scorer with 14 goals.

2017/18

The turning point: The first Champions League final

Klopp's approach was proven to work. Liverpool continued to complete new signings. Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined in the summer, Trent Alexander-Arnold makes a definitive breakthrough and Henderson establishes himself as a starter.

The team reaches the Champions League group stage after eliminating Hoffenheim. The pressing and the German coach's electric approach, with their incredible attack, had Anfield falling in love.

However, in the winter transfer window, two transfers took place that are key to understanding Liverpool today. Coutinho left for Barcelona for 135 million euros. Liverpool took advantage of this money to reinforce the backline, and paid 85 million euros to Southampton for Virgil van Dijk to become the most expensive defender in history.

"He has helped us a lot," Alberto Moreno acknowledged in an interview with MARCA in 2018. "It shows.

"He's a top player, he's a captain in defence, he's the one who manages everything at the back."

Liverpool once again finished in the Champions League places, again fourth with 75 points, 25 fewer than champions City.

The major qualitative leap came in Europe: the Reds reached the Champions League final after eliminating Porto, City, and Roma. In the final in Kyiv, however, they ended up losing 3-1 against Real Madrid.

Roberto Firmino (54) finished the season as the most used player and Salah exploded as a goalscorer. He finishes with more goals than anybody, with 44 goals and 32 came in the Premier League.

2018/19

Liverpool conquer Europe

The signing of Alisson, after the countless failures of Karius and Mignolet, completed the team.

The engine room was reinforced with the signings of Fabinho and Naby Ke