It is not a coincidence that Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have scored the most goals (45), created the most chances (259) and completed the most passes (520) in the Premier League this season. What this entails is that Klopp has raised the bar and is on the verge of restoring the glory days to Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp might have lost two finals in his debut season in Liverpool after the likes of Manchester City and Sevilla beat his Liverpool side in the League Cup and Europa League last season yet that has done nothing to erase the fact that the former Borussia Dortmund manager is gradually turning the Merseyside side to a Premier League dominant club considering his team’s full throttle attacking football.
Having taken over in October 2015 from Brendan Rodgers, Klopp took time to settle In at Liverpool as the club’s inconsistent form cost them a place in Europe by the end of the season. On Boxing Day (yesterday) Liverpool easily dispatched Mark Hughes aggressive playing Stoke City who were totally outplayed by the Merseyside club. Setting his team out with a fluid attacking intent, Stoke City found it almost impossible to maintain their defensive shape as the quick runs and passes of Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino wrecked the away side. Though Stoke City went ahead within 13 minutes as Jonathan Walters headed in the opener from an Erik Pieters cross, it didn’t last long before Liverpool equalised and went ahead all in the first half. With Pep Guardiola (Liverpool play Manchester City next weekend) watching from the stands, Hughes in the first half showed the Spaniard the way to outclass Liverpool which is to play aggressive, win 50-50 challenges, force them to play away from your penalty box and attack them as their defence is their achilles hill. Things will however change later on as Liverpool’s attacking quality made the difference and Stoke City defending for their lives. With the game ending 4-1, Liverpool have made a statement to the rest of England and that message is that at present they are almost impossible to defend against having scored 3+ goals in eight of their 18 league games this season.
Also to be noted is the fact that Liverpool have the longest unbeaten home run in the league (16) with only six draws. Klopp has been successful in instilling his philosophy in his charges with the club playing a quick fluid system whereby all front three attackers (usually Sadio Mane, Divork Origi or Philipe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino) interchange positions along with the two other attacking midfielders (usually Adam Lallana and Giorgio Wijnaldum) with Jordan Henderson playing from deep and dictating the tempo of the game. What analysts and fans have observed this season is that in this system, it is difficult to mark the attackers as they combine their flair with their tactical prowess which has seen the club score the most goals (100), create the most chances (659) and win the most tackles (794) in the Premier League since Klopp took over In October 2015.
Though Chelsea are ahead of second placed Liverpool with six points, the lesson to be noted is that Liverpool will need to improve their defensive line as they have recorded only five clean sheets unlike Chelsea who have 11 clean sheets . To catch up with the London side , scoring goals isn’t the only thing needed as conceding less is also paramount.
Stats powered by Opta.
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