Jurgen Klopp has got his Liverpool side singing and dancing in the Premier League of late and the punters here in the Tavern are delighted with their side’s continued progress!
But after their stilted 2-2 draw with Sunderland last week, things seem to have somewhat taken a backwards step and the difficulties facing any side fighting for the title were apparent during the 2-2 draw.
The Reds have been free-scoring throughout the whole of the campaign and had plenty of chances to dispatch a Black Cats side who have one of the worst defences in the whole of the division.
Still, they failed to do that and it came back to haunt them. With Chelsea failing to beat Tottenham, the race for the crown remains wide open and the Anfield titans remain very much in the offing to bring the title to the adoring Kop for the first time.
The discussion around the pub seems to show a real need to tighten things up over on Merseyside and we seriously agree.
So with that in mind, here are THREE things Liverpool must do if they’re to push for the title this season…
Tighten up at the back
Things had very much tightened up in recent weeks in the Reds squad but against Sunderland, the inability to keep the goals out against the lesser sides in the division was once again on show in abundance.
Much to the anger of the Reds punters leaning on the bar, a defence that halted the progress of free-scoring Sergio Aguero couldn’t stop the likes of Jermaine Defoe and a team destined for the Championship.
Whilst good at times, Liverpool’s entire season has been riddled with dodgy defending and bad decision making.
Things really need to tighten up at the back.
Bring in some reinforcements
Some of Liverpool’s poorer spells during this campaign have really coincided when their best players have been out injured and it seems clear that a spot of investment this January really wouldn’t go amiss in the slightest.
Adam Lallana flitted in and out of the side during October and November, which saw goalless draws against United and Southampton, whilst the injury to Coutinho at the end of November was a massive loss to the spine of the side.
Some real quality to push these players when they’re fit would be fantastic and even to fill in when suspensions, injuries and poor form take their toll as the season progresses.
Put their chances away
A big worry amongst the Liverpool contingent here in the pub at the moment is the loss of Sadio Mane to the Senegal African Cup of Nations side but at times, the inability to put away their chances is the one thing Liverpool really need to work on if they are to win the title.
Mane has been the culprit on a couple of occasions but against the Black Cats, Daniel Sturridge had ample opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net and quite simply, he failed to do so.
Chelsea’s defeat to Spurs was a real lucky break for the Reds, who would have found themselves further behind had Conte’s men beat their London rivals.
Liverpool need to put their chances away, especially against teams they should be beating.
