Jurgen Klopp’s confrontation with the Everton ballboy after Liverpool’s 0-0 draw in the Merseyside derby has been likened to Kevin Keegan’s meltdown at Newcastle United and former Reds boss Rafa Benitez’s ‘facts’ press conference.

Both those previous incidents were followed up with The Toon and Liverpool collapsing under the pressure of challenging for the Premier League title.

Liverpool’s dropped points from the weekend has allowed current league champions Manchester City to regain top spot. Pep Guardiola’s men are now one point ahead of The Reds in the title race.

City have had an impressive 2019 thus far and that’s allowed them to succeed in catching Liverpool, clinch yet anther League Cup and stay on course for qualification into the next round of the Champions League.

In the meantime, Klopp’s team have certainly suffered from a dip in form. The Anfield club have drawn four of their last six Premier League encounters. In the same timeframe, Man City have won their last five league games.

Top goalscorer Mohamed Salah has scored just once in his last six league outings. The Egyptian superstar hasn’t created an assist in that time, which means he’s not contributing enough to help his team’s cause at the moment.

Liverpool have scored sixty-four goals, which is twelve fewer than City.

Summer signing Naby Keita hasn’t been the dynamic force that was expected of him. The midfield are becoming more dogged than creative.

But while it’s a bit gloomy at Anfield at the minute, there’s still time to get things back on track.

The Reds defence is still the strongest in the league, they’ve only conceded fifteen all season. It should be easier to fix scoring issues than it would be defensive errors. Having a tight defence always gives a team the chance to build on a strong foundation.

While the recent draws have hampered the club, they still haven’t lost more than one league game all season.

The manager himself is remaining upbeat. He stated this to Liverpool FC’s own website after the draw with Merseyside rivals Everton:

“We are positive – how couldn’t we be positive?

“There is a lot to come and a lot of games to play. What brought us here was the stability the boys showed. We are difficult to beat, which is very important in football. And we created, still, in difficult games, which is very important in football.”

We can’t forget that Jurgen Klopp has successfully won a domestic title previously with Borussia Dortmund. That experience could be vital in the run-in. His positive attitude and his man management style could turn things back in Liverpool’s favour.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain seems to be on his way back from injury and that could give his team yet another creative outlet from midfield. The English star was becoming an integral part of The Reds first team before his serious lay-off and the side could do with his energy to get forward from the engine room.

The upcoming game against Bayern Munich in Champions League might prove to be pivotal, no matter the result.

If they lose to the Germans, then Klopp could turn his player’s attention fully towards winning their first Premier League trophy. It will give them more rest time mid-week and have them fully focused on the run-in.

A victory over the Bundesliga giants could re-galvanise Liverpool’s season. It will prove that they can get vital away results. A goal for Mo Salah would give the forward his mojo back!

As I say, there’s plenty of time and twists and turns to come. Liverpool need to push on and they need to become that attacking outfit that scares the opposition again. At the moment they look too cautious.

Jurgen Klopp should use the Everton result to kick backsides and have them ready to fight tooth and nail for the all important Premier League title!

Posted on March 5th, 2019 by scott
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