da poker： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

da dobrowin： Jurgen Klopp has already written himself into Liverpool folklore.

Last season’s Champions League victory made the former Borussia Dortmund manager just the fourth manager in the club’s history to lead them to the continent’s summit, and the 97 points he picked up in the Premier League last time out almost clinched their first top-flight title since 1990. If the Reds do prevail in the top tier this term – it looks pretty good at the moment as they lead the way – then he will become a bona fide Anfield legend.

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During his four years at the club so far, he has made some fantastic signings. The likes of Alisson, Andrew Robertson and Virgil van Dijk helped the Merseyside outfit concede just 22 goals in the league last season, the least in the division, whilst the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane have scored plenty of goals at the other end – they were joint-winners of the Premier League’s Golden Boot last season, along with Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Across that period, 28 players have left the club to move elsewhere, either on free transfers or cash fees. It is a true testament to Klopp’s ability as a manager when you look at the careers of those players who have left. For example, observe Philippe Coutinho. The Brazil international pushed for a move to Barcelona in 2017, and eventually went to the Camp Nou in January 2018 for £106m. Howevever, after just 18 months and 76 appearances, he was shipped out to Bayern Munich on loan after even being booed by some of the Catalan outfit’s supporters. His stock has certainly not gone up.

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Jordon Ibe and Dominic Solanke are at the other end of the spectrum. Both were failing to receive regular starts at Anfield, and were sold to Bournemouth during separate transfer windows. Since then, they have just five goals in 115 matches between them at the Vitality Stadium. Incredibly, Liverpool made over £30m from their sales.

The list of those who have fallen off the grid since their departures keeps on going. Joe Allen was sold to Stoke, and now plays in the Championship, while Christian Benteke has just 21 goals in 102 games since making his club record £27m move to Crystal Palace. Arguably, only Luis Alberto, who is now valued at £25.2m by Transfermarkt – a considerable amount more than the £4.3m he was sold for in 2016 – has improved his fortunes as he stars for Lazio – this season, he already has 10 assists in 13 Serie A matches.

For £326.32m, Klopp has managed to make a fortune from players who have, for the most part, nose-dived since leaving Merseyside. His genius, it seems, knows no bounds.

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard could help Liverpool sign two youngsters.