Liverpool played some riveting football in the 2013-14 season where they finished second and squandered an opportunity to the lift the Premier League title. They failed to reproduce the same form in the next season having lost Suarez to Barcelona and Sturridge to injury for most of the season. At the beginning of the season, Rodgers would have thought that he can get the team back in contention at the top of the table but results after 7 games into the season saw him lose his job.
Jurgen Klopp, the German charismatic manager replaced Rodgers at the helm of the club hoping to get the same kind of success he got at Dortmund in Germany. He has to play at least till January with the squad Rodgers assembled over the years. He bought Nathaniel Clyne, Roberto Firmino, Christian Benteke, Danny Ings and a lot of other players but was not able to replicate his best days.
Liverpool lost Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard at the start of the season and needed much more stardom in the middle. They started the season with back to back 1-0 victories but slowly lost the plot. They now stand in the 10th place with 17 points from 12 games. The club has lost 3 games and drawn five already this season and the appointment of Jurgen Klopp is already having its effect.
Under Rodgers, the team has won 3 matches and drawn 3 in the first 8 games. Since Klopp’s arrival Liverpool have won just 1 game and drew 2. The only win in the Klopp era has come at the Stamford Bridge which will have given the squad plenty of confidence. The squad already looks a lot confident and assertive in their play and if given time, the German does look like he can make a difference at the club in his reign.
However, his plans were hampered heavily as his squad suffered a number of injuries. Benteke suffered minor injuries and is still to regain full match fitness. Danny Ings and Joe Gomez have both suffered season ending injuries. Sturridge and Henderson have not yet featured under the new boss. Given all these problems, Klopp has done extremely well losing just 1 game in 7 in all competitions with his new club.
Phillipe Coutinho, who was Liverpool’s main man last season has been in good touch off-late. He has scored 3 goals in his last two games and has looked confident with the ball at his feet. Benteke provides the kind of presence the club has lacked and can give Liverpool the goals that have been missing. But the biggest improvement under Klopp has been the defense.
Liverpool were known for conceding silly goals all throughout last season and at the start of this season. But under Klopp, the Club has given away more than a goal just once against Palace. They look a far solid side than they were under Rodgers and the most important part of the resurgence have been Clyne and Sakho who have been in exceptional form.
Next 5 games:
Manchester City (A); Swansea (H); Newcastle (A); WBA (H); Watford (A)
The biggest match for Liverpool in this list is against table toppers Manchester City. City has been a free-scoring side this season and will put loads of pressure on the Liverpool defense at the Etihad. Newcastle. away is also a game that the manager will have his eye on as the St James Park is not an easy ground to play at.
Liverpool, though, look like a much better team, they still have the problem of not creating enough chances and scoring goals. The likes of Lallana, Firmino, Ibe and Milner will have to step up and provide the club with much more spark up front if they want to see their club back in Europe in the next season. This would be the logical goal at the end of the season.
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