Liverpool reached yet another Champions League final on Tuesday night. The Reds defeated Villarreal in their semi-final tie by five goals to two and reached the final stage of the competition for the third time under Jurgen Klopp.
The German coach has now reached four European finals since his move to Anfield in October 2015. His Liverpool team have won 14 of their 16 knockout ties under his leadership.
Anfield's influence is renowned on the continent but Klopp's men seem to benefit from more whenever they are competing on Europe's elite stage. In a tactical sense, the Reds are complete, flexible and possess very few weaknesses.
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"This is the best Liverpool side that I can remember," said Unai Emery ahead of facing them with Villarreal. The Spanish coach is known for devising strategic plans to highlight the flaws of his opponents, but even he was forced to appreciate what he was up against.
Klopp's men are essentially good at everything. Pep Guardiola has previously described them as 'very strong strategically' while also labelling them as the strongest team he's faced in his illustrious managerial career.
“If you let yourself be dominated, they lock you in the area and you can't escape," said the Manchester City boss. "When you dominate them, they run into space like no one else. They are very fast going backwards."
The tactical conundrums posed by Liverpool are premeditated according to Pep Lijnders, who is responsible for much of the coaching behind the scenes at Kirkby.
The Reds don't just want to be capable of executing one specific game, they want to be able to adapt. Liverpool can mix things up with ease and when contesting knockout matches such as those in the Champions League, Klopp's players are equipped for every scenario.
"We want to be able to transform comfortably and fluidly from a possession-based team to a counter-attacking team," said Lijnders during pre-season. "Basically, having different 'flight plans' but all well executed."
Liverpool can break down a block. They can maximise set-pieces. They can counter-attack. They can press high. They can soak pressure. They can control matches using possession. They can fight. They can do it all.
Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah can threaten in behind. Virgil van Dijk can play lofted passes over the top. Alisson Becker can sweep up behind Klopp's high line. Thiago Alcantara can dictate a game from the heart of the field. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson can hurt opponents from the flanks. Across the board, Liverpool can play the final pass.
The number of weapons that Klopp has at his disposal allows his players to solve whatever problems they are faced with on the pitch, and he now has squad depth to benefit from.
Luis Diaz was able to change the course of the second leg against Villarreal on Tuesday night. In the away leg against Inter Milan in the round of 16, Klopp introduced Diaz, Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson before the hour-mark - simply because many of his starters hadn't played well - and they went on to win 2-0.
The squad depth at the club is yet another string added to Klopp's bow. His team can do everything and they have the skills to thrive regardless of what they are faced with.
The only question that remains is whether they will have enough to triumph in Paris, but their extensive armoury suggests they are well set.
