Despite Liverpool’s swashbuckling start to Jurgen Klopp’s first full season in charge and their subsequent consolidation to be in and around the Top 2, there is a distinct sense of uneasiness in the camp regarding their attacking option, which has incidentally been their USP this season.
Liverpool have smashed in the most number of goals this season (49) and Klopp has expectedly transformed this often-lethargic group of players with potential. The former Borussia Dortmund coach has managed to tap that resource and despite being miser spenders in summer, are now in the driver’s seats as the most likely candidate to challenge Chelsea’s supremacy.
Their defence hasn’t been the most convincing and has been under scrutiny along with their goalkeeping situation with neither Karius nor Mignolet impressing suitably. They have conceded 24 goals which is the second worst in the Top 7 other than the hapless Manchester City defence.
But while people are overly concerned with their defensive issues, Klopp should be more concerned about their attack. Yes, when they play at their best, they are the most lethal group of attackers up front but increasingly as the season has progressed, we are noticing that the ‘if’ is taking a more important and distinct shape.
What is noticeable about Liverpool’s season is their competent and sometimes superlative performances against the top teams. They have already beaten Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Arsenal as well. They have failed to get past Manchester United but that was mainly down to Jose Mourinho’s shackled approach wherein he was satisfied with a couple of draws. They have drawn against Tottenham Hotspur and have comprehensively beaten Chelsea.
Tellingly, they have dropped points against Burnley, Southampton, West Ham United, Bournemouth and Sunderland. There is a pattern emerging right here and although it is not wholly to do with their attacking potency, it is pretty evident that Liverpool lack in quality depth and backup options. When teams like Burnley, Southampton and Sunderland put 9 men behind the ball at times, Liverpool lack the necessary cutting edge to replace someone like a Firmino or Coutinho as a Plan B. An unsurprisingly selfish Sturridge is usually their go-to option but it is not ideal when the player so vastly differs in ideology than his teammates.
And with the AFCON disrupting their rhythm with the Joel Matip row and Sadio Mane’s departure (who is their highest scorer with 9 goals and 5 assists) it is clear that Jurgen Klopp has to make a foray into the transfer market in January and against the popular belief, it is an attacker that they need at this very moment, before the winless 4-match streak rears into something more telling.
