When reflecting on Jürgen Klopp’s 489-game tenure at Liverpool, many fans recall the feel-good atmosphere he restored and the club’s incredible success, including the Premier League title in 2019/20 and the Champions League triumph the season before. However, one subtle change during his reign—altering the color of Anfield’s nets—often goes unnoticed.
While seemingly minor, this decision may have played a small role in helping Liverpool, a sleeping giant before Klopp’s arrival, dominate the game in the late 2010s. Appointed in October 2015 after Brendan Rodgers’ departure, Klopp made the switch from red to white nets less than a year into his tenure. But why would one of the Premier League’s most celebrated managers insist on such a change?
The Reason Behind Klopp’s Net Colour Change
The answer lies in Klopp’s meticulous attention to detail and his belief that the change could boost Liverpool’s goal-scoring prowess at home.
When Anfield’s new Main Stand opened, fans were thrilled with the transformation of their historic ground, which had been their home since 1892. During the opening game—a 4-1 win over Leicester City—most supporters celebrated the on-field performance, but a few eagle-eyed observers noticed that the nets were no longer red, as they had been since August 2012, but white.
Interestingly, red nets had still been in place during a training session at Anfield just days earlier. By the time Liverpool faced Leicester, however, Klopp had ensured the switch to white nets, marking a subtle yet symbolic change at one of the Premier League’s most iconic stadiums.
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