Jurgen Klopp’s first full season in charge appears to be going better than many would have expected. Liverpool’s underperformers have all of a sudden hit a rich vein of form while the usual mainstays have gotten better.
We take a look at why Liverpool deserve to be taken as serious title contenders.
Jurgen Klopp deserves full credit for bringing in rapid improvements to Liverpool’s performances with his valiant attacking mentality.
The Reds thrive in a quick tempo system, and Klopp has fully embraced Liverpool’s dominant style of play.
After beginning the season on a high note with a 4-3 win over Arsenal, Liverpool underwent a brief spell of inconsistency that bred doubts about their title ambitions.
A 2-0 loss against Burnley highlighted Liverpool’s shortcomings as it indicated their inconsistency in the low-key games, but since then, the Reds have gone on to dominate every team they’ve come up against.
It’s evident that Klopp is keen on getting his side into the Champions League, but the Reds’ performances suggest something even more.
Before the start of the season, Manchester United and their City counterparts were the most talked about teams in the league while Chelsea often came up in media predictions as well.
The Merseyside outfit, however, was clearly missing from the pre-season speculations.
After seven weeks down the road in the new season, United’s title bid seems shaky, City’s vulnerabilities have been exposed, and Chelsea is yet to adapt to Conte’s system.
The Reds, on the other hand, have notched four wins in a row thus far. Summer arrivals Mane and Wijnaldum have settled in quite nicely at Anfield, and the team is playing with fire and desire.
The current Liverpool side can be likened to the team that finished second during the 2013/14 season.
Liverpool’s Shortcomings
The Merseyside outfit are known for being inconsistent and what they need most at the moment is to maintain their form.
The gaffer is on the right track to do so, but the League’s inherent unpredictability still casts a shadow of doubt upon the Reds.
Liverpool’s defensive set-up isn’t as strong as their attack. Attempting to outscore the opposition in every game isn’t a viable game plan, and Klopp needs to address the team’s back-four vehemently.
No other team in top half of the table has conceded more goals than Liverpool this season (10). Nonetheless, they’re a force to reckon with in the attacking third.
Klopp’s side has scored the joint-highest goals in the league thus far (18) despite the absence of a prolific striker. Daniel Sturridge seems to be off his game in a similar vein as Divock Origi which gives the impression that Klopp will attempt to sign a quality forward in January.
As things stand in the league, Liverpool amongst Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, City and United will be vying for a top four spot and potentially the Premier League crown. While the odds rest with the more obvious teams, Liverpool have a solid chance of finishing within the top four, and even more so, clinching the title.
