WHERE IS IT GOING WRONG WITH LIVERPOOL?

In the past few years, Manchester City and Liverpool have set the pace in the English Premier League. Howbeit, this season appears to be indistinct for Liverpool. Even though, it is just three matches played.

Liverpool are seven points behind Arsenal and five behind City, a situation they will not be proud of I believe. Three things come to mind when looking at Liverpool’s horrendous performance this season; Klopp’s 433 formation, Mane’s exit, and the Midfield dilemma.    

The 433 formation has been Klopp’s preferred formation over the last three to four seasons even though there have been in-game formation changes.  Liverpool have thwarted teams with this formation and have won some titles with it. Nevertheless, I fear teams especially those in the premier league have figured it out and I believe it’s high time Klopp changed the formation.

Mane’s exit came as a surprise to many Liverpool supporters although I believe Klopp and Liverpool were in the known. Mane’s last two season at Liverpool was not one he could boast of as a player in terms of performance. There were highs and lows in his performances but Mane was key to the Liverpool attack. Last season for instance, when he was deployed as the false nine, he produced some astounding performances. Players do come to football clubs and go but clubs must prepare for the departure of instrumental players. As to whether Liverpool were prepared for Mane’s departure is a story that would unfold but with time.

Liverpool’s midfield has been under severe scrutiny for some time now. Their midfield options look depleted anything there is an injury. It is easy to admit Liverpool’s midfield is made up of talented players; most of them are injury prone. One can talk of Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita who are prone to injuries. Signing a midfielder should have been a priority, unfortunately; Klopp claims to be happy with his squad once again. Clearly, Liverpool’s midfield lacks creativity, and this has been proven in most of their games. Aside from Thiago, and largely Fabinho and Keita there is no creativity in midfield for Liverpool. Whether Klopp is satisfied with his squad or not he needs that creative midfielder who can change the fortunes of a game with incisive and instinctive passing.

The season is young and Liverpool would definitely improve on their abysmal performance. They would have to work their socks off to be in the title race. I am not writing them off the title race but to win the premier league requires more than just passing the ball around and from side to side. Liverpool have a good manager in Jurgen Klopp and their fans can trust in him to turn things around sooner than later.