No matter how many injuries they have, no matter how many VAR decisions went against them or how many goals they conceded at Villa Park, one simply can’t write off Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool who remain favourites to defend their Premier League title. The charismatic German won’t agree though, as he prefers to ‘attack‘ it despite limitations and has transformed the ‘bottlers’ into a juggernaut. The doubters have become achievers, yet there’s no complacency in the camp as they go again to maintain their supremacy overcoming the obstacles one after another.
The Merseysiders were the runaway leaders in the last campaign but are expecting a sterner contest this year from the Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the hunt for the coveted crown. The early results suggest a massive upsurge of Spurs as they, under Jose Mourinho’s famous second season in charge, have emerged as prime contenders. They have some depth as well as quality across the pitch and the gaffer, therefore, is applying squad rotation comfortably. The Blues, on the other hand, have fixed their frailty at the back and the flexibility upfront has helped them settle in and deliver week in, week out.
Although the worldwide pandemic has led to financial instability and monetary complications, the spending spree from the rivals has indeed closed the gap after last season’s one-sided affair. Klopp, who is pretty calm otherwise, has seemed a bit rattled due to certain circumstances over the past few months.
Not only did he take a dig at Chelsea and Manchester City in the summer branding them as run by ‘oligarchs’ and ‘countries’ while defending the Reds’ budget constraints and transfer policy but also Sky and BT Sport for bizarre Saturday early kickoff scheduling after arduous Wednesday night European trips. He hit out at Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder as well for blocking the proposed ‘five substitutions’ rule in the English top-tier. Little pre-season followed by fixture congestion led to multiple injury woes, and the Anfield chief must work on a few things on and off the pitch considering the tricky test ahead in 2021.
In the aftermath of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez’s potential season-ending injuries, Liverpool have done well defensively with limited resources. Some tactical alteration has worked in their favour, including the decision of not playing a high-line is making sense following a 7-2 humiliation against the Villans. Klopp took little time to tweak his strategy and the players, too, attuned to it with more dedication and discipline.
Having said that, the club must rope in a new centre-half in January to restore some quality in the heart of the backline and should make a move for Ajax sensation Perr Schuurs who is now a realistic option following the Dutch side’s elimination from Champions League football. Neither Dayot Upamecano nor Ibrahima Konate would come cheap, particularly after RB Leipzig’s dramatic Round of 16 qualification where they knocked out Manchester United in a 3-2 thriller. The reigning English champions, thus, must shift their focus elsewhere with the 21-year-old Dutchman being one of the brightest prospects of the continent available for a fee in the region of £27m (as claimed by Dutch sports journalist Mike Verweijj, quoted by the Daily Mail).
Klopp has rarely opted for high-profile recruits during his managerial regime but broke this rule this summer by roping in Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich. The renowned Spaniard was supposed to form a majestic midfield setup alongside skipper Jordan Henderson and Fabinho. Still, destiny had other plans when the double defensive blow forced the gaffer to deploy the latter as a makeshift centre-back alongside Joel Matip. Moreover, Thiago’s knee injury against Everton (following an ugly challenge from Richarlison) turned out to be a serious one which has now ruled him out for at least until the December end.
The crisis was looming large, and the ex-Borussia Dortmund boss needed a saviour. Amid further fitness concerns to Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and later James Milner, one man showed sheer professionalism despite a contract dispute and stepped up astoundingly in the middle of the park. The under-appreciated Geroginio Wijnaldum has proved his influence once again in Klopp’s ‘heavy metal football’ and earned the fans’ backing over a new, improved contract.
The 30-year-old Dutch international would be a free agent next summer and is allowed to speak to his suitors from the next month onwards. The Reds, thus, must act swiftly before it gets too late and accept his demands (within reason) as a reward to his commitment and consistency. Age is just a number if a player is in his best shape physically and Wijnaldum, with his relentless runs, pressing and off the ball work rate, deserves to stay at least for a couple of years more. Milner will be 35 in a few weeks and the profile of ‘Gini’ makes him the perfect successor of the decorated Englishman in terms of setting examples and influencing the rising stars.
The kids are alright in Merseyside even though the far more experienced names have been a disappointment so far. The likes of Adrian, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi were supposed to leave an impression from the bench but have slipped down the pecking order of late behind the academy graduates. Curtis Jones, 19, is now a regular in the centre of the pitch, whereas rookie Caoimhin Kelleher has earned a starting status over Adrian following Alisson’s hamstring injury. The young shot-stopper managed back to back clean-sheets over Ajax and Wolves and has exhibited enough to hand the manager a selection headache in the forthcoming future.
The Reds, meanwhile, have not been as ruthless as they were last season on the road and must add more venom and variety to their game to dominate world football. Success is not a bed of roses, but the man from the Black Forest has always delivered under pressure, defied the odds time and again and scripted fairy tales against the most unfavourable circumstances.
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