Jurgen Klopp’s kids could learn a lot from Liverpool’s title-winning 1990 team

Trent Alexander-Arnold revealed this season that the furthest he had reached back into Liverpool’s history was to watch footage of the team managed by Gerard Houllier in 2000.

Nobody would suggest there is nothing to learn from Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Dietmar Hamann, but as we approach the resumption of play, Alexander-Arnold and his team-mates may wish to go back another decade.

It is the 1990 team Liverpool are about to eclipse. It only seems right that they should know about them.

Trent Alexander-Arnold said the furthest he has reached back into Liverpool's history is 1990

Trent Alexander-Arnold said the furthest he has reached back into Liverpool’s history is 1990

But it is the 1990 team Liverpool will eclipse and it seems right they should know about them

But it is the 1990 team Liverpool will eclipse and it seems right they should know about them

Modern footballers can be hard to read. They have history at their fingertips. At the push of a button on an iPhone, all the footage is there, but very few bother.

At Manchester United, Patrice Evra wanted to learn about the Munich disaster. But that was talked about because it was unusual.

So at Liverpool over the coming weeks it is hoped Jurgen Klopp’s players are encouraged to watch a little of Barnes and Beardsley and Hansen.

Not just because history matters but because it will only serve to heighten the magnitude of what they are about to achieve. That Liverpool team — managed by Kenny Dalglish — was coming towards the end of something, even if they did not know it at the time.

That special Liverpool team did not realise they were coming towards the end of something

That special Liverpool team did not realise they were coming towards the end of something

Dalglish, worn down by the pressure and the emotional devastation of Hillsborough, was to resign midway through the following season.

This Liverpool side, on the other hand, are perhaps at the start of a journey. They will start next season as strong title favourites, for sure.

In 1990, though, Dalglish’s side were still capable of playing with a sweeping majesty entirely recognisable when viewed through the prism of how Klopp’s side play today. They worked hard out of possession and they broke with devastating directness and speed. Perhaps the stand-out performance of that era came two seasons earlier, Liverpool dismantling a talented Nottingham Forest side 5-0 at Anfield with football that was extraordinary even by modern standards.

By 1990, Barnes and Beardsley in particular remained potent. Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 9-0 at home early in their final title-winning season.

John Barnes (left) ended the season with 28 goals as Liverpool played with a sweeping majesty

John Barnes (left) ended the season with 28 goals as Liverpool played with a sweeping majesty

Barnes only scored one of those goals but ended the season with 28. He was not, of course, a traditional centre forward.

Football has changed a little in three decades but any Liverpool player watching the way Dalglish’s team played the game would recognise the classic principles – in the same way that it is easy to reach the conclusion that the current side is superior. Yes, the Anfield surface is better now and the rules of the game encourage attacking play. 

But Klopp’s team – from goalkeeper Alisson through Virgil van Dijk, two flying full backs, Fabinho and Sadio Mane – brings to the great stadium a consistency of brilliance we probably have to go further back than 30 years to match.

Jurgen Klopp's men bring a consistency of brilliance to Anfield that was matched 30 years ago

Jurgen Klopp’s men bring a consistency of brilliance to Anfield that was matched 30 years ago

Alexander-Arnold and his team-mates should judge for themselves, though. That is the point: they should have a look.

This is a league title that will be clinched in an empty stadium and there is an unescapable sadness about that.

But a league title won after a 30-year hiatus remains special and an appreciation of the players who did it the last time will only add to the lustre.

CITY FACE BIG WEEK IN BATTLE FOR EUROPE

Manchester City face a big week as the Court of Arbitration for Sport hears their appeal against their Champions League ban, but it would appear to have been prefaced by good news. 

Pep Guardiola’s decision to appoint the relatively unknown Spaniard Juanma Lillo as his new assistant feels low-key, but the City manager – out of contract next summer – would not have invited an old friend to the club if he did not intend to stick around a while.

Pep Guardiola's decision to reunite with old friend Juanma Lillo suggests he intends to stay

Pep Guardiola’s decision to reunite with old friend Juanma Lillo suggests he intends to stay

TIME FOR FANS TO REPORT RACISM FROM THE STANDS

Protests matter but only if we are prepared to take individual responsibility, too.

It doesn’t matter how big mass gatherings are in London and Manchester if we are not prepared to tackle prejudice when it lands at our feet. Supporters alleged to have made racist remarks at Chelsea and Manchester City in recent seasons were caught out by TV. Had they not been, would they have been reported by supporters seated nearby? Possibly not and this culture must change.

At football grounds these days, phone numbers are provided to anonymously report inappropriate behaviour. So the tools are there. There is no excuse.

It is no good going down on one knee on a Thursday night if you aren’t prepared to pick up the phone on a Saturday afternoon.

YOUTH COACHES HAVING TO TREAD A VERY FINE LINE

Former Scotland manager Gordon Strachan believes we are no longer exposing youngsters to some of the harder, unforgiving elements of the sport and that they will suffer if they ever make it to the professional ranks.

Modern youth coaches certainly have to tread carefully as they look to build up young players’ mental resilience.

Safeguarding rules exist for good reason but they have left some coaches fearful of what may happen if they fall the wrong side of the guidelines.

Gordon Strachan believes we aren't exposing youngsters to the unforgiving parts of the sport

Gordon Strachan believes we aren’t exposing youngsters to the unforgiving parts of the sport

An investigation hasn’t found anything serious enough to charge former Nottingham Forest and England winger Steve Stone after bullying allegations were made at Burnley.

Stone is currently back at Turf Moor working with the first team and will be back in his old job with the Under 23s next season. But such accusations carry an awful stigma and the line football walks on this matter is a very fine one.

We don’t want to frighten off our best young players. But the same applies to the coaches.

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