After seven seasons at the helm at Anfield it’s undeniably time for the ‘Reds’ supporters to ask themselves this question. Is it way too early to start to sound the alarms? Coming out of a frustrating goal-less draw with city rivals; Everton (with a brilliant performance from Pickford) and going into week 7, with only two wins for a total of 9 points out of 18 possible, Liverpool’s hopes are starting to take a serious hit, and this is now the worst start to their Premier League season under the helm of highly rated gaffer Jurgen Klopp. But before making any assumptions, let’s break down this Liverpool team, as the German manager has, without question earned at least the benefit of the doubt, (coming off his third Champions League final with the ‘Reds’) that this side can turn things around.
Oh Mané!
First of all we need to address the elephant in the room. Liverpool’s toughest loss this past transfer market was Sadio’s departure to German side Bayern Munich. The ‘Reds’ did not only lose his goal scoring talent, but his ability to orchestrate this attack all together. Without his stamina, timed runs, box presence, and pressure on defenders, the team’s weaknesses are very much in plain sight. Without Mané the attack has had ups and downs. Sure they did score 9 goals on the newly promoted Bournemouth team you might think, but for all of the other 5 matches, facing mid and lower table teams, Salah has been running without purpose, Nunez looks very raw and needs to adapt to the league, and Diaz suffers by not having Sadio’s help and awareness on attack.
(On a side note it’s been a great start for Firmino, who’s starting to look like his old self, and wants to be back on top form with the World Cup looming around the corner) that said, the reality is that this team is relying on individual talent on attack, which they surely possess, but it’s never a sustainable tactic in the most competitive league in the world, they will keep facing very tough defenses that can stack players in the box and frustrate any attack, and if Liverpool’s star power doesn’t bring their A-game every game, things will continue to look like last game against Everton, more often than they would like.
This shaky start has by no means been solely the attack’s responsibility. Liverpool’s midfield, let’s go out there and say it, looks seasoned as if their better days are behind their once ‘best in the world’ mid field. The core and veterans of the unit; Fabinho, Henderson, Milner, Thiago (injured) on their respective games they’ve played look slow, fail to connect easy passes, and are lacking stamina in a very physical start of the season. Will they be capable of turning this around? Perhaps here is Jurgen’s opportunity to show his tactical mastermind and work something out, or maybe it’s time to continue to give more starts to the young blood, Harvey Elliot, and Carvalho as the former one has already earned a spot in the starting XI. Klopp and the fans may be surprised with the spark Liverpool’s young talent can provide to this mid-field and that might bounce them back to life, or perhaps that was always part of Klopp’s plan, and it just needs a little more time.
Last, but not least is a crucial unit that has helped Liverpool earn a place in Europe’s elite, their defense. As of week 6, they’ve looked strangely uncomfortable. They have the shine of their stars, but they have been inconsistent. Van Dijk, who by some is considered the best CB in football, has been playing at an average level, looking shaky, out of pace at times, and his physicality has taken a toll after several years playing at an elite level, His regression was meant to happen after tremendously competitive years, but he needs to show his character and leadership because with him lacking the confidence, the whole unit suffers. His football will without a doubt return to 100%, he is THAT type of player, he just needs to keep it together and compensate for his football struggles, with his experience and leadership qualities on and off the pitch. As for the rest of the unit, it seems as they all went into a regression mode, including Alexander-Arnold (Feels like he is still having nightmares about that UCL final in May). They need, and will turn this around, but will they do it on time? The Premiere League is a very long tournament, but once you fall behind it is almost impossible to fight back to contention. So this team as a whole has no time to lose.
What’s next?
Jurgen’s task is not easy, and he will for sure have a very challenging but beautiful opportunity to show his ability, brilliance, and resilience as one of Europe’s top managers. Because like it or not, the clock is ticking, and ‘Red’ fans may not have the patience in them. Anfield will start to demand the results they know this squad can achieve. It’s an exciting time for sure for football fans to see how this all plays out during the season. Is this just the beginning of the end of a ‘golden era’ in Liverpool’s history? Or is this an opportunity and masterpiece in progress for Klopp to claim the top spot in Europe’s elite? The German manager and this very talented Liverpool squad have a challenge on their hands, and we are all in for it. Next up, their Champions League 2022 debut against Napoli, and Wolves at home in the domestic league on Saturday. We’ll be watching.
