Liverpool and drastic collapses go hand in hand. The Reds had started off on such a positive and vibrant note with the attack especially hitting all the right notes and with Jurgen Klopp having half a season and a summer transfer window behind him, the fans were actually beginning to believe that this was going to be their year. Even the 2-0 loss against Burnley, which had the warning signs of what Liverpool usually do, could not stem the flow of excitement.
Slowly they emerged as the frontrunners to challenge Chelsea’s dominance. But the turn of the year changed it all. With Coutinho and Mane missing a number of matches with injury and International duty respectively, the wheels came off. With an air of resignation and despair enveloping the side, the win against Spurs has come as a major relief. Mane looked back to his best and the team looked a different proposition all of a sudden. Now, they have to put their heads down and while the Cup runs have ended, the League is still there and they need a strong finish to avoid the season from being termed another failure.
3 players who need to step up for Liverpool now.
ROBERTO FIRMINO
The Brazilian has mainly been played in a false 9 position and has been given the freedom to wreak havoc up front. But the issue is that, after the initial few weeks, he has failed to do so. His talent is undoubted but his inconsistent nature has again come to the fore. The Reds are heavily dependent on their front 3 for goals and his 8 goals in 24 games are not good enough for a side looking to fight for the title. He offers a good work-rate but goals are what you need from your player up front and the player along with Klopp, have to sort this out.
PHILLIPE COUTINHO
Another Brazilian who has fallen away after a bright start to the season. He raced to 5 goals and along with the other two in attack, looked like powering them to the title but an injury has seen him lose momentum and by the looks of it, form too. He has failed to find the net in the last 7 games and hasn’t provided an assist either. He needs to find his touch back else Liverpool will find it hard to maintain the new-found momentum.
EMRE CAN
A monumental failure if you take into consideration the expectations of him this season. With his defensive attributes and his ability to bomb forward, he was expected to slot into Klopp’s system and with a tinge of hard work, be an important component this season. But he has tailed away drastically and has lost his place in the starting 11. He has been deplorable in recent weeks and has been singled out for criticism in a number of matches. With simple passes going astray, the player has looked like a rabbit caught in headlights on more than one occasions. He needs to get his touch back and perform else an exit in summer is looking likely.
