Sport
KLOPP’S LIVERPOOL CAN WIN THE PREMIER LEAGUE THIS SEASON
Klopp’s Liverpool can win the Premier League this season. Since Jurgen Klopp took over as manager, Liverpool have improved significantly. The Reds were languishing in the bottom half of the table under Brendan Rodgers but now sit six points behind leaders Manchester City, having lost just once under the former Borussia Dortmund boss.
When the appointment was made, many expected Liverpool to struggle for the remainder of the campaign and challenge for the top four next season, however their change in fortune has been almost instant. Klopp’s positivity and ‘gegenpress’ style of play has helped to transform Liverpool from a mid-table side into potential title contenders. In fact, they’re much more than that – they ARE title candidates.
While Rodgers failed to inspire the younger members of Liverpool’s squad, Klopp’s arrival has sparked new life into the first team. The likes of Alberto Moreno, Emre Can and Dejan Lovren look like completely different players and all three are likely to play crucial roles for the Reds throughout the remainder of the campaign.
In attack, the Reds are flourishing – which can only spell trouble to the rest of the Premier League. Klopp has started to use Roberto Firmino a lot more and his relationship with compatriot Philippe Coutinho is causing problems for opposing defences. You only need to look at what the Coutinho/Firmino double act did to both Chelsea and Manchester City to see that Liverpool’s players are responding well to Klopp’s new style of play.
Their results in recent weeks have been nothing short of sensational and Klopp’s men will aim to maintain this momentum ahead of a busy festive period. With upcoming fixtures against the likes of Newcastle United, West Bromwich Albion and Watford, they could potentially occupy one of the coveted Champions League spots on Christmas Day – which would be an immense achievement considering their lowly position when Klopp arrived.
Perhaps now more than ever, January will be vital for Liverpool’s chances of success this season. Klopp is no shrewd character and he will already know which players he wants to leave the club and which stars he wants to bring into Anfield. The Reds have been linked with many of Klopp’s Dortmund side – with both Marco Reus and Mats Hummels being touted as reported targets for Liverpool in the upcoming transfer window.
If the Reds acquire both of these stars, they will be extremely dangerous in the second half of the season. Although neither player has featured in the Premier League before, they are both accustomed to Klopp’s ‘gegenpress’ tactics and should adapt fairly quickly to England’s top flight. Whilst this would be a huge win for Liverpool, it would also be detrimental to arch-rivals and top four contenders Manchester United after they have tracked Hummels for years with no success in the transfer window.
On current form, it would take a brave man to back against Liverpool going all the way this season. Traditionally, the Reds have been strong in the final months of the campaign and supporters will be hoping that Klopp’s high-tempo, pressing style of play doesn’t tire the squad out. If they can continue to improve and compete against England’s elite clubs, Liverpool will be there or thereabouts at the end of the campaign and Klopp might just be the key factor that secures their first domestic title since 1990.
