Is Bournemouth’s incredible comeback against Liverpool last weekend the start of a difficult period for the effervescent Jurgen Klopp?
The Reds have been amazing to watch this season under Klopp, playing attacking and free flowing football that is a beauty to behold.
However, after last weekend’s defeat to Bournemouth, the Kop faithful in The Tavern are worried that this maverick style of play, whilst exciting to watch, is perhaps a bit naive for a team with ambitions of lifting the Premier League title.
Klopp’s recent injury woes will have him seeking some divine intervention over the coming fixtures as he’s without his star man Philippe Coutinho, sidelined until early next year, and a number of other players struggling for fitness including Daniel Sturridge, Joel Matip and Sadio Mane.
Liverpool are third in the Premier League, level on points with Man City, and are the current top scorers in the division with 35, but with 18 goals conceded this term, more than any of the current top 8, there is cause for concern for the Tavern’s Red army this weekend.
The game against West Ham on Sunday will be tough, The Hammers are sitting one point above relegation and Slaven Bilic’s job looks increasingly on the line. Andy Carroll is fit again and the east London club need a positive result to arrest the recent decline and get the fans back onside.
Bilic, like Klopp, has some injury concerns, chiefly in defence and will need star man Dmitri Payet to step up and prove he isn’t a one season wonder.
Following a disappointing result against the Cherries, Jurgen Klopp must do these THREE things to ensure Liverpool beat West Ham on Sunday.
Attack, attack, attack!
Attack is the best form of defence, as they say.
Our punters know that Liverpool are at their very best when piling forward, pressing hard and creating chances, they must get on the front foot against West Ham, setting a high intensity early on.
The Irons’ defence is weak and this must be exploited early in the game. The Hammers lack confidence and the Liverpool team have the quality to shatter their frailty at the back
Play Mignolet
The Belgian international deserves his chance to reinstate his claim as the club No.1.
Karius was beyond woeful against Bournemouth and he still appears to be a goalkeeper that is still learning his trade.
At 23 the young German is clearly a great prospect for the future but Liverpool need stability and experience at the back for this key fixture.
Mignolet is a better shot stopper than Karius and if Payet is up for it, then the Belgian will need to be at his very best to make those vital saves.
Game Management
If the game is won, make sure it stays won.
The greatest Premier League winning managers know how to win a game once ahead, indeed Jose Mourhino was once considered the master of it.
If Liverpool find themselves ahead in the second half then Klopp needs to reconsider the maverick free-flowing style of play and ‘shut up shop’ as they say.
The punters believe Jordan Henderson, Emre Can and Lucas will be vital in the second half to help secure the win for the Reds and ensure that there is no embarrassing repeat of the previous weekend against Bournemouth.
Liverpool fans – what do you think? Let us know below…
