Can you recall the 11 players Jurgen Klopp fielded in his first match as Liverpool’s manager in October 2015? It’s a lineup that feels like a distant memory compared to the modern Liverpool squad.
There’s no debate—Jurgen Klopp is among Liverpool’s greatest-ever managers. The German tactician took seven years to restore the club’s status as a European football powerhouse, delivering seven trophies, including the Champions League and Premier League, during his tenure.
Looking back, Klopp’s debut match against Tottenham Hotspur on October 17, 2015, showcased a squad far removed from the polished Liverpool of today. Every single player from that matchday squad has since departed Anfield. Here’s a look at where they are now.
Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet | Club Brugge
In August 2019, Mignolet joined Club Brugge after losing his spot as Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper. Despite years of solid performances, he was overtaken by Loris Karius and later Alisson Becker, prompting his move to Belgium.
Defender: Alberto Moreno | Villarreal
When Moreno arrived at Liverpool, fans hoped he’d become the next John Arne Riise on the left flank. However, the Spaniard struggled to meet expectations and couldn’t displace the dynamic Andy Robertson. In the summer of 2019, Moreno joined Villarreal on a free transfer.
Center-Back: Mamadou Sakho | Unattached
After falling out with Klopp, Sakho’s time at Liverpool became turbulent. Loaned to Crystal Palace in January 2017, he later made the move permanent that summer. In 2021, he joined Montpellier on a free transfer, but after clashing with his manager in October 2023, Sakho left the club and remains without a team.
Center-Back: Martin Skrtel | Retired
Beloved by fans for his fearless, combative style, Skrtel’s final season at Liverpool was 2015/16. After leaving Anfield, he played for Fenerbahce, Atalanta, Istanbul Basaksehir, and Spartak Trnava. In the summer of 2022, the Slovakian defender retired at age 37.
Defender: Nathaniel Clyne | Crystal Palace
Clyne was a key right-back under Klopp early on, but a December 2017 injury and the rise of Trent Alexander-Arnold saw him lose his place. In 2020, after his Liverpool contract expired, Clyne signed with Crystal Palace.
Midfielder: James Milner | Brighton & Hove Albion
At 38, Milner remains a regular for Brighton, where he joined in 2023 after eight years and seven trophies with Liverpool. On January 22, 2025, he made his 633rd Premier League appearance, becoming the second-most capped player in the competition’s history, behind only Gareth Barry (653).
Midfielder: Philippe Coutinho | Al-Duhail
The Brazilian “Little Magician” thrilled Liverpool fans with his flair and long-range screamers. Yet, at the peak of his form, he pushed for a move to Barcelona. Struggling to replicate his Anfield magic, Coutinho drifted through Bayern Munich, Aston Villa, and now plays for Al-Duhail in Qatar.
Midfielder: Adam Lallana | Brighton
Lallana was a vital cog in Klopp’s early Liverpool sides, but injuries hampered his progress. Unable to secure a regular starting role, he left for Brighton on a free transfer in the summer of 2020.
Midfielder: Emre Can | Borussia Dortmund
Before leaving Liverpool on a free transfer to Juventus in 2018, Can was a dominant defensive midfielder. After his stint in Italy, he joined Borussia Dortmund in 2020, where he now captains the Yellow and Blacks.
Midfielder: Lucas Leiva | Retired
Fans adored Lucas for his tireless work rate and professionalism. In 2017, he moved to Lazio for €5.7 million. After returning to his boyhood club Grêmio in 2022, a heart condition forced him to retire shortly after.
Forward: Divock Origi | Nottingham Forest
Origi was tipped to lead Liverpool’s attack after Luis Suarez’s departure, but he never fully reached those heights. Known for clutch substitute appearances and crucial goals, he left for AC Milan on a free transfer in 2022. After a lackluster spell in Serie A, he’s currently on loan at Nottingham Forest with an option to buy.
Substitute: Joe Allen
Liverpool had high hopes for Allen when he signed in 2012, but he struggled to nail down a starting spot. The Welsh midfielder moved to Stoke City in 2016, enjoyed success there, and later joined Swansea City in 2022.
Substitute: Jordon Ibe
Once hailed as a future star, Ibe was seen as a coup when Liverpool signed him from Wycombe Wanderers in 2012. However, he failed to live up to the hype. After leaving Liverpool, he bounced between Bournemouth, Derby County, Adanaspor in Turkey’s second tier, and now Ebbsfleet United in England’s fifth tier, battling injuries and depression with just three appearances since September 2020.