And it was in October that year that the former Reds defender urged the club to appoint Klopp following the sacking of Brendan Rodgers. At the time, Liverpool were tracking both Klopp and current Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, with both figures interviewed before the ex-Borussia Dortmund man was chosen.

Carragher compared Liverpool to Tottenham at the time and backed Klopp to be the man to take the club back to where it belonged – something which the German has comprehensively vindicated.

“I think with either of those coming to Liverpool, the Liverpool supporters would be ecstatic: Carlo Ancelotti a Champions League winner three times, and we know what Klopp did at Borussia Dortmund,” the pundit said on Sky Sports back in 2015. “If it was me I would go for Klopp ahead of Ancelotti.

“I think he’s got more to prove. Ancelotti is a great manager of course but he’s gone to clubs where you would expect to win trophies. It’s a difficult job now at Liverpool getting them back into the top four. Forget talking about the title. And I think it needs someone with that energy and drive to get Liverpool back to where it wants to be and I think Jurgen Klopp‘s that man.”

Few will argue against the notion that Klopp has been “that man.” And as well as being a massive success as a manager, he’s also been credited for uniting the fan base and embracing the ethos of the club.

Indeed, Carragher did voice concerns that the boss would be walking into a situation where “internal politics” was rife, and in a comparison that would not have pleased either set of fans, likened Liverpool to Tottenham. “Liverpool have won one Carling Cup in 10 years,” he said, referring to their 2012 success against Cardiff City at Wembley.

“Liverpool are becoming Tottenham: they think they’re a big club but the real big clubs are not too worried about them, who they buy and what they’re going to do. That’s the situation it’s become for Liverpool, even when I was there towards the end.”

Klopp initially struggled to end the trophy drought, tasting defeat in League Cup, Europa League, and Champions League finals. But in 2019, his side captured a sixth crown in Europe’s elite competition, staging a sensational semi-final comeback against Barcelona before beating Tottenham in the final.

And the following season, the Reds ended a wait of 30 years to win a top-flight title. The celebrations, however, could not take place in front of home fans due to the restrictions of Covid-19.

Liverpool have since won the League and FA Cup, European Super Cup, and Club World Cup. And Klopp’s surprise announcement has prompted an emotional response from fans, with the 56-year-old insisting he will not reverse his decision irrespective of the rest of the campaign pans out.