da betsul： Lose to Southampton and Liverpool’s season suddenly looks in jeopardy. Indeed, the Reds are now ten points off Premier League leaders Chelsea in the title race and are some way from being able to glance at the FA Cup as a realistic shot at silverware, while even a top four finish is not looking as solid as it was in the closing days of 2016.
da dobrowin： So, EFL Cup elimination at the semi-final stage would be a massive blow, and it’s one Jurgen Klopp’s side are staring at after losing the first leg at St Mary’s 1-0. In reality, that night on the south coast could have been much worse with the Saints comfortably outplaying the travelling team, so they’re lucky in some respects that the tie is still open enough for a trip to Wembley to linger tantalisingly on the horizon.
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However, if Liverpool are to overturn the deficit, they cannot make the same mistakes as in recent matches. Here are THREE problems from the past few weeks Klopp must address…
This three’s not company
Although much has been made of Liverpool’s front three lacking fluidity and the backline making rookie errors during the recent slide, the problems, arguably, stem from the midfield. Sadio Mane’s absence has left a void in the forward line, which Klopp has attempted to address with Adam Lallana moving from his new deeper role onto the right-flank, and although he has the technicality to create chances, taking him from the centre of the field has slowed the Reds’ play.
The Englishman’s ability to play on the half turn and look for vertical passes has been key in a midfield trio including himself, Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson, with the threesome’s skills all complimenting one another’s.
Emre Can has stepped in, but the German’s lack of pace over five yards and desire to take an extra touch rather than distribute early has taken the zip out of Liverpool’s play and exposed them both offensively and defensively, with turnovers of possession commonplace either through being robbed by opponents or seeing passes intercepted.
Against the Saints, Klopp must opt against putting Lallana in the attack and instead keep faith with his new ‘No.8’ role. Daniel Sturridge or Divock Origi can fill in as either the central striker or as wide attackers to keep Roberto Firmino in the middle, while Sheyi Ojo has the pace, if not the end product or experience, to fill Mane’s boots.
Better than average Joe-l
FIFA’s farcical inability to clarify Joel Matip’s eligibility to feature has robbed Klopp of, arguably, his best centre-back for the past few games. Essentially it all boiled down to a dispute between the player and Cameroon, who registered him for their AFCON trip, only for the player, who has effectively retired from international football and not pulled on his nation’s green shirt since 2015, to not join the squad. FIFA then stepped in as they investigated, leaving Liverpool staring at the prospect of missing their defender for the entirely to the competition, even though he’s on Merseyside.
Alas, the debate was settled last Friday, but not in time for Matip to train to face Swansea in Saturday’s loss. We all saw the impact of not having an authoritative presence at the heart of the backline as Ragnar Klavan and Dejan Lovren struggled to cope with the Swans’ attacking threat, which resulted in two goals from Fernando Llorente and Gylfi Sigurdsson, all of which may have been dealt with with more organisation, presence and quality at the back.
The ex-Schalke man is available, has been in full training and simply must start in a game Liverpool cannot afford to concede a goal in.
Pain barrier too much for Clyne now
Two of Swansea’s three goals came via the Liverpool right-flank, and although it would be silly to suggest that Nathaniel Clyne was the only man at fault, it’s pretty obvious he played his part. The Englishman was nursing a rib injury vs. the Swans, which may have held him back slightly, so there’s no sense risking him against the Saints when Trent Alexander-Arnold has been impressive of late when called upon.
The youngster has the pace and physicality to get up and down the right-flank and offer the width Klopp’s team needs and may inject the sort of energy that was missing at home to Swansea.
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