Cracking piece in the Echo by Pearce making the observation that we haven't been genuinely contending for the league and European cup in the same season since 1984! That's crazy. And it is also the true barometer of what Klopp has done since he has come here. Lets pray we win one of these, but lets not be blasé about this time at our club. We haven't been in this conversation in 35 years!
Sometimes you need to take a step back and appreciate what you are witnessing.
Wednesday night in the Allianz Arena was one of those occasions. No wonder Jurgen Klopp described it as the best European performance of his Anfield reign.[bcolor=#fdfbf8]Liverpool[/bcolor] have certainly dazzled to a greater extent as an attacking force, not least when Roma were thrashed in the first leg of last season's semi-final.
But in terms of balance and control, the victory over Bayern Munich was a different beast. You could see the development of Klopp's side and the value of the continental experience they have collected.
Even when the Bundesliga giants got themselves back into the tie courtesy of Joel Matip's own goal, there was no hint of panic. Liverpool didn't wobble, they kept their heads and cruised into the last eight.
Virgil Van Dijk celebrates scoring in the match between Bayern Munich and Liverpool (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
For all the talk about Bayern being a fading force, it was the Reds who made Niko Kovac's side look average. Remarkably, Bayern were restricted to just two attempts on target over the two legs combined.
It's worth remembering that when Liverpool travelled to Porto in the last 16 of the Champions League 13 months ago the club hadn't even been involved in a knockout tie in the competition since 2009.
What a transformation Klopp has masterminded as they prepare to face the Portuguese champions once again in next month's quarter-finals.
Last season's thrilling run to Kiev restored Liverpool's reputation as a genuine European force and now the five-times winners look even better equipped to challenge with their defensive steel.
These are heady days for Kopites. Win at struggling Fulham on Sunday and the Reds will go into the international break on top of the Premier League table.
That means in late March, Liverpool will be leading the title race and preparing for a European Cup quarter-final.
Just to put that into context, they haven't found themselves in that position at this stage of a season since 1984 when Joe Fagan's side added both trophies to the League Cup.
(L-R) The Liverpool coaching team of Chris Lawler, Roy Evans, manager Joe Fagan and Ronnie Moran celebrate with the European Cup, Rome 1984
It was 10 years ago this week that Rafa Benitez's Liverpool followed up their 4-0 mauling of Real Madrid with a 4-1 win at Old Trafford when Andrea Dossena famously completed the rout.
But even after that result the Reds remained four points behind Manchester United who had a game in hand. Within a few weeks both shots at glory had disappeared with defeat to Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and a crazy 4-4 draw with Arsenal in the league.
This time around the battle with Manchester City is much tighter with just a point between them with eight games to go. It's Pep Guadiola's side who face the more demanding schedule during a pivotal April after being handed a European tie with Tottenham.
For all the talk about pressure, nerves and relinquishing that seven-point lead over City, Liverpool remain in a fantastic position.
All that stuff about 'bottling it' is simply nonsense. The Reds have never accumulated more points from their opening 30 league games of a season. Their current total of 73 equals their best ever tally at this stage in 1904/05 and 1987/88.
Beat Fulham on Sunday and they will have surpassed last season's points total with seven games to spare. The rate of progress has been astonishing.In terms of the Premier League era, as well as their most points at this stage, they also boast their best goal difference (+51) and fewest goals conceded (17). This is a Liverpool side to cherish. They have put themselves bang in contention for the two biggest prizes in club football.
Sometimes you need to take a step back and appreciate what you are witnessing.
Wednesday night in the Allianz Arena was one of those occasions. No wonder Jurgen Klopp described it as the best European performance of his Anfield reign.[bcolor=#fdfbf8]Liverpool[/bcolor] have certainly dazzled to a greater extent as an attacking force, not least when Roma were thrashed in the first leg of last season's semi-final.
But in terms of balance and control, the victory over Bayern Munich was a different beast. You could see the development of Klopp's side and the value of the continental experience they have collected.
Even when the Bundesliga giants got themselves back into the tie courtesy of Joel Matip's own goal, there was no hint of panic. Liverpool didn't wobble, they kept their heads and cruised into the last eight.
Virgil Van Dijk celebrates scoring in the match between Bayern Munich and Liverpool (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
For all the talk about Bayern being a fading force, it was the Reds who made Niko Kovac's side look average. Remarkably, Bayern were restricted to just two attempts on target over the two legs combined.
It's worth remembering that when Liverpool travelled to Porto in the last 16 of the Champions League 13 months ago the club hadn't even been involved in a knockout tie in the competition since 2009.
What a transformation Klopp has masterminded as they prepare to face the Portuguese champions once again in next month's quarter-finals.
Last season's thrilling run to Kiev restored Liverpool's reputation as a genuine European force and now the five-times winners look even better equipped to challenge with their defensive steel.
These are heady days for Kopites. Win at struggling Fulham on Sunday and the Reds will go into the international break on top of the Premier League table.
That means in late March, Liverpool will be leading the title race and preparing for a European Cup quarter-final.
Just to put that into context, they haven't found themselves in that position at this stage of a season since 1984 when Joe Fagan's side added both trophies to the League Cup.
(L-R) The Liverpool coaching team of Chris Lawler, Roy Evans, manager Joe Fagan and Ronnie Moran celebrate with the European Cup, Rome 1984
It was 10 years ago this week that Rafa Benitez's Liverpool followed up their 4-0 mauling of Real Madrid with a 4-1 win at Old Trafford when Andrea Dossena famously completed the rout.
But even after that result the Reds remained four points behind Manchester United who had a game in hand. Within a few weeks both shots at glory had disappeared with defeat to Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and a crazy 4-4 draw with Arsenal in the league.
This time around the battle with Manchester City is much tighter with just a point between them with eight games to go. It's Pep Guadiola's side who face the more demanding schedule during a pivotal April after being handed a European tie with Tottenham.
For all the talk about pressure, nerves and relinquishing that seven-point lead over City, Liverpool remain in a fantastic position.
All that stuff about 'bottling it' is simply nonsense. The Reds have never accumulated more points from their opening 30 league games of a season. Their current total of 73 equals their best ever tally at this stage in 1904/05 and 1987/88.
Beat Fulham on Sunday and they will have surpassed last season's points total with seven games to spare. The rate of progress has been astonishing.In terms of the Premier League era, as well as their most points at this stage, they also boast their best goal difference (+51) and fewest goals conceded (17). This is a Liverpool side to cherish. They have put themselves bang in contention for the two biggest prizes in club football.
