da wazamba： Liverpool’s start to the season has been more than impressive, yet still not many experts are considering them favourites for the league title. The quarter of a century plus wait for English football’s most prestigious crown rumbles on at Anfield and has supporters desperate for success, but Liverpool fans finally believe the club can end the hoodoo once and for all under Jurgen Klopp.
da pixbet： The Merseyside outfit have taken 13 points from a possible 18 this season, seven of which have been taken from away days at Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal. The impressive feat means Liverpool currently sit four points behind leaders Manchester City, who boast a 100% winning start to the season.
Returning to the top four will undeniably be the club’s main intention this campaign, but these were the same ambitions when Liverpool pushed Manchester City to the final day of their 2014 title winning season. Brendan Rodgers was at the helm then but his attacking style of football saw Liverpool overachieve and almost complete the impossible of a first league title since 1990.
Before the start of the season, Klopp was quick to deny Liverpool’s chances of claiming the Premier League crown this season telling betting sites and tipsters backing Liverpool for success to ‘keep their money’. However, after their impressive start, Klopp may now feel anything is possible.
The German is certainly no stranger to success and title-winning campaigns as he famously guided Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, overcoming arch-rivals Bayern Munich. Klopp’s relentless Dortmund side won the hearts of many fans throughout Europe for their energetic, fast-paced and passionate performances in Germany.
Even when Bayern Munich were expected to run away with the Bundesliga crown in 2011/12, Klopp managed to instil desire in his BVB side to overcome the odds. Dortmund once again went out and were victorious.
Liverpool may not be the best team or have the finest squad in England, but, similar to his time in Germany, Klopp finds himself with a Liverpool full of talent and heart. His success at Dortmund was not built in a day but Klopp has already achieved a degree of greatness at Liverpool. Despite a number of teething issues, he certainly has the players on his side and arguably even more importantly, the fans.
Summer signings Sadio Mane and Gini Wijnaldum have hit the ground running at Anfield and look every bit worth their enormous price tags. Both players fit into Klopp’s side like a hand in a glove and should their form continue then who know’s what can be achieved. To add their squad depth, the lack of European football will prove beneficial, as the Reds will be able to allow their focus remain on the league title.
No European football allows Liverpool’s successful high-pressing and intense style of football to be implemented to its maximum potential with the risk of injury become far reduced. In comparison, when Liverpool mounted their nearly successful title challenge in 2013/14 it came off the back of the club focusing on domestic success with no European distractions. That enabled Liverpool to play once-a-week whilst their rivals Manchester City and Chelsea were trooping out almost every Wednesday and Saturday for six months straight.
At the moment, Liverpool are averaging close to 2.75 goals-a-game which takes some beating. Manchester City remain the only team in the country to be averaging more, but the Manchester giants have only played away at one of their direct rivals, Manchester United, in comparisons to Liverpool’s three.
Defensively question marks remain – they are conceding an average of 1.5 goals-per-game – and that has to improve. Under Rodgers in 2013/14, Liverpool conceded 49 times as their title challenge was halted by the boys in blue. Unlike Liverpool back then, they now hold a manager who is capable of achieving even better things.
After last weekend’s impressive victory at Stamford Bridge, a lot of people are starting to consider Klopp’s Liverpool the real deal. If they can continue their good form, remain injury free and be disciplined then who knows what ‘the Normal One’ can achieve at Liverpool this season and for years to come.