Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterJurgen Klopps so-called heavy-metal football was an era-defining style of play.The Germans gegenpressing philosophy would become synonymous with relentless attacking play, first with Borussia Dortmund and then with Liverpool, but only after another Bundesliga side blazed an earlier trail.Hoffenheim had only just been promoted to Germanys top flight in 2008, but their rapid progress under Ralf Rangnick had seen them become one of the most exciting sides in the country, one that caught the eye of Klopp.Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 ListThe Hoffenheim performance that inspired Klopp Newly promoted Hoffenheim welcomed Dortmund early in the 2008/09 Bundesliga season, with the establishment already beginning to sit up and take notice.Future Chelsea striker Demba Ba was at the heart of that side and recalls a match that left a lasting impression on Klopp and helped to sculpt the future Liverpool boss footballing philosophy. You may like Pressing wasnt my game. Id run for you all day but closing your marker and bending your run it makes me tired just watching it Peter Crouch on why he may have struggled under Andoni Iraola Liverpool as we knew them under Jurgen Klopp have seemingly vanished, but can Andoni Iraola restore the culture that was eroded after the German's departure? Liverpool 2026-27 season preview Manchester City coach set for Jurgen Klopp reunion at international level It was the fifth matchday of the league, Ba tells FourFourTwo. Hoffenheim had just been promoted to the Bundesliga.Our style of play was a breath of fresh air in Germany. The team played attacking football, giving everything from the start, no matter the opponent. Our lack of experience in the top tier hardly showed because we made up for it with hard work and boldness.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.This was immediately evident when the top-flight newbies faced Klopps side.That day, within just half an hour, we were already leading Borussia Dortmund 2-0. I remember that we played with great intensity.I was completely exhausted afterwards because I gave absolutely everything on the pitch. It was incredible.The significance of that game would only become apparent to Ba years later, when he caught up with his old boss.Years later, talking with Ralf Rangnick, he shared an interesting anecdote with me, he continues. After that heavy defeat, Klopp admitted to him that from that moment on, he wanted all his teams to play that way.He implemented it at Dortmund and later at Liverpool. In a way, we were pioneers of Jrgens gegenpressing.TOPICSDemba BaUEFA Europa LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromDani Gil
