How many times have we heard that the Premier League is the toughest league in the world?
It is a phrase that has been repeated extensively over the last 10 years since England’s top flight was at its very best a decade ago, when its sides dominated the Champions League. Yet in recent times many have questioned this, citing the quality of La Liga, the tactical flexibility of Serie A sides or the depth of the Bundesliga as greater tests.
Liverpool’s German boss Jurgen Klopp may well argue that the Premier League is indeed as tough as many have previously suggested it to be. When the former Borussia Dortmund manager came to Anfield, few thought his target would be wining the league. Yet 11 months later and some fine performances in that time, a 19th top flight title is not out of the question for Liverpool.
Last week’s dominant showing at Stamford Bridge was a further indicator of the progress made by the Reds in recent times. There are few things more impressive in football than heading to your rivals and beating them in their own backyard. Liverpool have already done that twice in the short Premier League season to date. In fact, Klopp’s side have made a habit of beating the beat.
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They have faced Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Chelsea already this campaign and did not lose against any of them. That is last season’s top three and the 2014-15 champions. Some record. But they are not undefeated, losing 2-0 at newly promoted Burnley despite having 81% possession.
There lies Liverpool’s big problem. To reach their potential, they have to beat the lesser likes.
The style Klopp has almost perfected at Anfield does not lend itself to this. Liverpool look for their forwards like Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho to nick the ball high and counter close to the opposition’s box. The counter-attack is fundamental to Liverpool’s game plan whether it be from deep or high up. The goals they scored against Leicester earlier in the season were a testament to this.
Against smaller teams, this tactic is much less effective. Opponents like Hull, who they face this weekend, will not let them counter easily as they will not commit too many players forward. Instead, Liverpool will enjoy much more possession and be tasked to break down defences. As the game at Burnley showed, the Reds have not cracked this different challenge.
Since the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid in 2010, Liverpool have missed a player in the heart of midfield who can dictate the tempo of a game and produce precise passes in the final third to unlock resolute defences. When teams sit in front of their own box, then Liverpool’s midfielders like captain Jordan Henderson need to be more cutting with the ball to avoid more frustration and upsets.
There is one more question hanging over Klopp’s side: is his famous gegenpressing to intense?
This doubt comes in the wake of comments from Sir Alex Ferguson, who explained Liverpool’s Europa League final defeat to Sevilla in May was down to exhaustion. Liverpool have always been top of the running stats in the Premier League since Klopp joined the club. Players are expected to give their all for the 90 minutes, both in and especially out of possession but it my come at a cost.
Although Liverpool are not in Europe this season, they could still play over 50 games in all competitions come May. That is a lot of matches, even for a strong squad like Liverpool’s, especially if they are being pushed to the physical limits every time they play.
Should Liverpool perfect breaking teams down without intensive pressing and relying on counter-attacking, it might not only see them beat smaller teams on a more regular basis but also give them more in the legs for a long domestic campaign.
Hull will visit Anfield and sit deep. It is a great chance to see if Liverpool can adapt to playing in front of teams and whether they have the quality to break down one of the most resolute defences in the league.
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