Liverpool is one football club which will never cease to amaze fans and neutrals alike. Set aside the Burnley anomaly, the Reds have played some breathtaking football this season.
Grinding out results have been a recurring problems for the Reds. They seem to have now addressed that problem albeit still under-progress, as they overcame a resolute Sunderland defence and beat them 2-0.
The Coutinho-Mane-Firmino triumvirate has already wreaked havoc to opposition defences. Leicester City, Hull City, Watford and West Brom have all been at the receiving end of the goal-scoring heroics of the trio. In short, the Reds are scoring at will and 32 goals in the opening 13 league matches is testament to it.
Manager Jurgen Klopp has instilled such a belief into the Reds team that they have started to believe in themselves. The glorious history of Liverpool in the 70s and 80s have put an additional baggage on the current crop of players.
However, it is Klopp who has made this team believe. “We must not think about our past if we want to help our future”, he said in October.
Image courtesy: Daily Mail Football/Getty
Absence of Europe this season has definitely given Liverpool the edge over other teams vying for that elusive Premier League trophy.
Let us not count Antonio Conte’s Chelsea out of the equation who are also not playing in any European competition.
Image courtesy: Daily Mail Football/Getty
Liverpool squad depth is also one reason why Liverpool might bring that league trophy to Anfield on May 2017. Having a player like Daniel Sturridge on the bench is any manager’s dream.
Striker of his calibre can change games any moment. Not to forget Divock Origi, who’s blossoming as a striker and has years at his disposal. The tragic loss of Danny Ings to injury might lead Klopp to look for potential buys in January.
Liverpool seem to have learnt from previous mistakes of buying overpriced players. Klopp has made some clever transfers this season.
Barring Sadio Mane’s £34 million buy, who’s shown why Liverpool paid such a price, the Reds have purchased Joel Matip, who’s a steal considering his free transfer. Klavan, Karius, Grujic and Wijnaldum are all paying dividends now.
However, Marco Grujic is yet to start a Premier League match but has shown glimpses of his potential in his cameo against Hull City.
Klopp’s philosophy of gegenpressing is run, press, attack. These attributes are signs of a champion and Klopp’s two Bundesliga titles with Dortmund adds credence to this.
Image courtesy: Bundesliga
In 2013-14 season, Liverpool were reliant on Suarez and Sturridge for the goals.
This season, the Reds are firing from all cylinders.
From 13 matches, Liverpool already have 10 different scorers.
Lallana – 3 goals
Mane – 6 goals
Coutinho – 5 goals
Firmino – 5 goals
Milner – 5 goals
Wijnaldum – 1 goal
Lovren – 2 goals
Emre Can – 2 goals
Jordan Henderson – 1 goal
Joel Matip – 1 goal
Divock Origi – 1 goal
If this winning mentality is kept intact, then glory isn’t a distant dream for Liverpool.
