Jurgen Klopp’s first match as Liverpool manager ended in a goalless draw at Tottenham Hotspur’s White Hart Lane in October 2015. Klopp acknowledged that while a 0-0 wasn’t the result he aimed for, he was satisfied with the team’s performance after only three days working together. “I am happy because I saw many good things, in the first 20 minutes we were pressing and were very aggressive,” he said.
The match against Mauricio Pochettino’s side marked the start of Klopp’s tenure at Liverpool, a period that would eventually bring the club its first Premier League title and a Champions League trophy. But that debut showed a team still settling into the German’s style. Klopp noted moments when the players appeared nervous with the ball, attributing it to a high pulse rate early on. “There were many full-throttle moments in the game. We need to improve but after working with the players for three days I am completely satisfied,” he added.
The starting lineup Klopp chose for that fixture has become a point of interest for fans looking back on how the Reds began their transformation. The team’s formation and personnel reflected a blend of Klopp’s early tactical ideas and the squad he inherited.
Liverpool’s XI in that match included established first-team regulars and players Klopp would build around in the coming years. The defence featured Simon Mignolet in goal, with Nathaniel Clyne at right-back and Alberto Moreno on the left. The centre-back pairing consisted of Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren.
In midfield, Jordan Henderson started in a deeper role alongside Emre Can, while James Milner occupied the left side of midfield. Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho provided creativity and attacking thrust through the centre and right, respectively. Up front, Daniel Sturridge led the line as the lone forward.
Klopp’s approach to the match was to implement pressing and aggression from the outset, which was evident in the first 20 minutes when Liverpool pushed Tottenham high up the pitch. However, the team struggled at times to maintain composure with the ball, a factor Klopp attributed to nerves and the limited time spent together before the game.
The match itself was a tight contest, with both sides creating chances but failing to break the deadlock. Despite the lack of goals, Klopp took positives from the performance, emphasizing the sharpness of his players' pressing and the moments of intensity they displayed.
Since that debut, Klopp has overseen more than 250 Premier League matches with Liverpool, shaping a squad that has achieved significant success domestically and in Europe. Fans now have the chance to test their knowledge of that initial starting lineup through a quiz timed at 2 minutes and 14 seconds, offered by Planet Football. The quiz challenges supporters to recall the exact XI Klopp selected on that day.
For those interested in Liverpool’s history beyond Klopp’s debut, further quizzes include naming the club’s top 30 Premier League goalscorers or every player to wear the number nine shirt in the Premier League era.
Klopp’s first game may have ended in a draw, but it set in motion a new chapter for Liverpool, one that fans continue to revisit with curiosity about the players who took to the pitch on that day at White Hart Lane.
According to Planet Football.
