One down 13 to go. Klopp, his players and faithful have endured a nightmare turn of the year, with Liverpool without a Premier League victory in 2017 – until Tottenham arrived at Anfield.
Now the German can rest easy, safe in the knowledge that normal super service has been resumed with this magnificent and mighty victory over Spurs to fulfil his second wish.
To make Anfield smile. Well the faithful’s grin was as wide as the Mersey as Sadio Mane demolished Liverpool’s top-four rivals with a blistering two-goal blast in two first- half minutes.
Klopp said: “We had to show a reaction and it was perfect. It was an outstanding performance offensively in the first half, and defensively in the second half.”
For Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, this additional travel sickness was so hard to stomach. They have now won just one of their 15 trips to the ‘Big Boys’ since he became boss in 2014.
Five bookings told their own frustrating story as Poch and his sorry Spurs sped away from Anfield after a dreaded day they will want to forget in a hurry.
On the bigger picture, he said: “If you show like today that you cannot cope with the pressure to play to win the league then it is difficult to challenge and fight for the Premier League.”
Klopp has undergone a load of soul- searching after a month from hell but his football principles will never be chucked out of the window.
The Kop boss promised before the game that his side would attack and fight for every kick, every tackle, every header to return to the pre-New Year domination of opponents.
And that’s just the way his game plan developed in the opening encounters, with Liverpool back to the good old days of pressing with power, breaking with speed.
Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana proved too hot to handle and with a little bit more luck would have had clear-cut chances to trouble keeper Hugo Lloris as 15 minutes flew by.
Two glorious goals in two manic minutes settled the match.
First, Mane was put through by Georginio Wijnaldum in the 16th minute and he ran on in splendid isolation before scooping over Lloris to bring the bouncing house down.
Then, after 18 minutes, it was suddenly 2-0 and the January slump was a distant, yet painful, memory.
Eric Dier uncharacteristically got caught in possession by mad-for-it Mane and he chased away to cross for Lallana, whose shot was parried.
The ball fell to Firmino and his effort was half-saved before Mane finished off.
A relieved Liverpool matchwinner admitted: “We have had a difficult few weeks but that can happen in football.
“We controlled the game from beginning to end.”
The action was electric. Mind numbing if you were in the white of Spurs as their midfield and defence were completely overrun.
Mane was unstoppable, whizzing in a shot which almost produced a first half hat-trick before he unleashed a blockbuster which was brilliantly saved.
Tottenham finally recovered from the pounding and Heung-Min Son saw his low shot saved by under pressure keeper Simon Mignolet with his boot. Dele Alli’s header was then deflected over by Lucas.
There was not the same power and purpose after the break as Tottenham finally woke from their slumber without really threatening. But Liverpool dug in their heels, determined not to let them pass.
The final whistle came as a blessed relief for Tottenham.
Klopp’s prayers, though, were well and truly answered.
Sleep well, Jurgen.
