“From doubters to believers” was Jurgen Klopp’s message when he first took the reins at Anfield.
He may have been in the job just over a month, but the people involved with the club are beginning to believe again.
When Klopp first came in, many agreed that he was the man for long-term, but there were some fears how he would go coming in immediately with limited resources due to the unforgiving injuries Liverpool have continuously picked up throughout the season. He was not just missing squad players, he was missing some of the best players Liverpool had. He did not let it effect him though, and that is what makes his start at the Reds even more impressive.
In his first game in charge against Tottenham, we saw glimpses of what he is going to bring to Liverpool. Identical to his former club, Borussia Dortmund, it revolves around pressing, playing with energy and moving the ball quickly. At Spurs, we saw the high press with the incredible energy, but the lack of composure on the ball was evident.
After watching Liverpool travel to the Etihad on the weekend, everything is coming together. They did not just beat the league title favourites, they embarrassed them. The Reds looked quicker, moved the ball with real authority and played with better intensity. Being 3-0 up after 32 minutes was a watershed moment for what Klopp has brought to Liverpool. Coming away 4-1 winners will send a big message to the rest of the league. Klopp has now defeated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and Manchester City at the Etihad. Without disrespect to Brendan Rodgers – he did a lot of good things during his tenure – but he failed to do either of those in his three and a bit years at the club.
Just over a month ago, Liverpool were a team that could be rolled over by almost anyone. There was no confidence coming from the staff and the players to make you feel as though this team was going anywhere. The players now look as if they believe in the manager’s vision. Under Rodgers, that simply disappeared. The players looked starved of new ideas, but that is no longer the case anymore. Everyone is buying into this brand of football Klopp is bringing. The mentality has completely changed. You would think going to Manchester City and winning 4-1 would be enough, but Klopp wants more and that is exactly what it takes to become a top side in England.
Along with the new ideas, we are now seeing players playing in their natural positions and a system that suits them down to the ground. Alberto Moreno is playing as a left-back, Emre Can playing in central-midfield and Roberto Firmino playing centrally upfront. All things that were not happening before Klopp came in and we are seeing what a big difference it is making. When you have footballers playing in a position that they are not particularly familiar with, they have the excuse of not playing to the best of their ability. They do not have that excuse now. They have to be right at it from the start till the end.
One area that has been particularly impressive is that the team looks better defensively. Silly mistakes still occur from time to time that inevitably lead to goals, but fans can feel more comfortable watching the Reds defend. It was not that long ago that when Liverpool conceded a corner, it felt as if they had conceded a penalty. It was that bad. This is not to suggest the issue has been completely resolved, but there certainly is an improvement.
Looking at one individual that is believing, Adam Lallana looks a new player. We are starting to see the £25 million footballer that was signed from Southampton. He has not done poorly during his time at Anfield, but the fans expected more. We are starting to see a player that has a real creative edge with an incredible work rate. All the supporters knew he had talent and it is starting to be put on display for the Liverpool supporters worldwide.
The potential pairing of the Brazilians Philippe Coutinho and Firmino was talked about heavily during the offseason. The two Brazilian playmakers showed on the weekend against Manchester City that they could become one of the most deadly partnerships in the Premier League. Why that is? Purely because they are on the same wavelength. The link up play was as good as we have seen in the Premier League this season. Goals and assists will come frequently with those two operating together.
With the belief coming back and a number of players returning from injury such as captain Jordan Henderson, top four has to be the aim. Sitting on 20 points and only six points off the top four in November, it is recoverable considering Liverpool’s next six games are games they can win. What also remains important to remember is that Liverpool have already got trips to the Emirates, Old Trafford, Goodinson Park, White Hart Lane, Stamford Bridge and the Etihad out of the way. A lot of big games will be played at Anfield towards the end of the year and home advantage can sometimes be the difference.
Europa League qualification has been sealed, following Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Bordeaux and they remain in League Cup contention. In Klopp’s first nine games in charge the Reds have secured five wins, three draws and one loss, scoring 14 goals and conceding seven. Compare that to Rodgers’ last nine games – two wins, five draws and two losses – when the side scored just nine goals and conceded 11, and there’s significant progress already being made.
There are still a few areas within the squad that need to be addressed, but right now Klopp is making the most of what he has got at his disposal. He is turning the Reds from “doubters to believers” and that is what Liverpool supporters want to see.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
