Liverpool, are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, and Champions League qualification is still in their hands with a game to go, but rumbling through social media, you may not think that this is case. After Wednesday's home draw with Napoli, the Reds now have to avoid defeat away at Austria champions Salzburg to advance to the knockout stages for the third season in a row since returning to the competition. Salzburg, equipped with wonderkid Erling Haland, gave Liverpool a run for their money at Anfield in gameweek 2, coming from 3-0 down, before Liverpool eventually won 4-3. Liverpool are Champions League holders, so why should there be any cause for concern? They have only lost once in the league in the whole of 2019, so why are some fans not screaming from the rooftops? Let us have a look.
Everything about Liverpool's draw with Napoli was flat. The crowd lacked their usual vibrancy on a european night, the team looked lethargic and devoid of ideas until Trent Alexander-Arnold came on in the 78th minute for James Milner. They did get their equaliser before Alexander-Arnold came on, but it came from a corner, as they struggled to create anything clean cut in open play. Liverpool still top Group E, but they can still not qualify if they lose 1-0 or by two clear goals to Salzburg, as they would be knocked out on the head-to-head. This is given as that Napoli are expected to get a minimum of a point in their game against Belgian champions Genk, who are yet to get a win in the group. Ironically the only point the Belgians have thus far, was when they drew at home with the Italians last month. Liverpool of course have been in this position before, no one will ever forget Steven Gerrard's sweet volley in the comeback versus Olympiakos in 2005, that ended up leading to the fifth European Cup triumph. And only just last season they beat the aforementioned Napoli 1-0 in gameweek six to seal their qualification. The only difference to those games is that this game will be away from home, there will not be the chance for another memorable European Cup night under the lights at Anfield here.
Why some supporters are disgruntled is, Liverpool had wanted a group like this, after getting Napoli and Paris Saint Germain last season, it was taken for granted that this time round things would be straightforward. But it is not the Liverpool way to do things is it? Before a ball was kicked, it was believed that advancing to the knockout stage could possibly be sown up after matchday 4, but this was put to bed when Liverpool were beaten 2-0 in their opening game in Naples. Liverpool had more than enough chances to put Napoli away, but they were not clinical and they paid the price. So then, after 3 straight wins, it was thought that 'Fortress Anfield' would be the venue where qualification came, but Liverpool could only draw. The other result did not go their way as Salzburg won away at Genk, so here we are. Let us get this straight, Liverpool do not fear Salzburg, but after what happened at Anfield, they must be wary. The Austrians score goals for fun, Liverpool have not kept a clean sheet in the Champions League so far. Only the prolific Robert Lewandowski (10) has more Champions League goals than Haland who is on 8. With the World Club Cup coming up in Qatar just before Christmas, fans were hoping a weakened team could be fielded in the last group game, as games in December, will be coming thick and fast. Liverpool already have to field alternate sides for their World Club Cup Semi Final, and their League Cup Quarter Final away at Aston Villa. The League Cup game was not moved, so the two matches are within 24 hours of each other. Not ideal at all, but winning brings more games, simple.
Let us make something clear here. It is not the fact that a section of supporters do not feel Liverpool can not beat any of these sides, bar the Villa game of course, as an extremely youthful side will play that game. It is the fact that injuries are a part of football, and the games are within a close proximity of each other, so rotation will be a must. Fabinho is the latest casualty, as he left Anfield on crutches after the Napoli game, and he is now expected to miss 6-8 weeks, in this crucial part of the season. Fabinho, in a little over a year has already become the most important midfielder at the club. Although Liverpool have a plethora of players who can play central midfield, there is no one who can adequately do exactly what Fabinho does. He shields the defence better than anyone, he passes as well as anyone and amongst other things his tenacity intimidates the opposition better than anyone else the Premier League leaders have at their disposal. Mo Salah is struggling with an ankle issue, and at times has seemed anonymous in games, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are always fitness doubts on top of that. Andy Robertson also had an ankle problem, but that guy does not stop running, so we may never know the full extent of his knock, someone needs to check what he puts in his haggis to be honest. This all of course leads to the fact that Liverpool followers including myself I must say, wanted at least one new senior outfield face in the come into the club in the summer. The pressure on the front three especially is immense, and with Xherdan Shaqiri only just returning from injury, and Klopp seeming reluctant to use Rhian Brewster in the league, only Divock Origi seems to be trusted to cover up there. If there is no creativity coming from the midfield, when the front three do not produce a piece of magic, games can become complex for the Reds. In the Premier League, the only points they dropped were away at Manchester United, but Liverpool are cannot always rely on getting late penalties like they did in the 2-1 home wins over Leicester and Tottenham.
Now let us look more at the league. Fans as old as myself would have seen heartbreak too many times, so forgive me for my hesitancy in thinking the league is over with 25 games still to go. With 75 points still up for grabs, an 8 point lead is far from insurmountable. As this season is being decided on a head-to-head if teams are level on points rather than on goal difference as it has been previously, beating Manchester City at home was huge. The worry has been from pre-season however at the fact, Liverpool are struggling to keep clean sheets. In all competitions, Liverpool have only kept three thus far, and one of those was away at MK Dons in the Carabao Cup. Alisson being out injured did not help, despite how well Adrian played, and Joel Matip, who has arguably been Liverpool's best player in this calendar year is still out injured. This has caused fans to storm to the socials to display their frustration. Yes, Liverpool are winning, which is by far the main thing, that goes without saying, but it still a minor concern that we are not as watertight at the back as last season. Dejan Lovren, is good at blocking shots and is very brave, but his decision making has always been questionable. On the other hand however, Klopp is almost forced to use him as Joe Gomez seems devoid of confidence, compared to the 'Rolls Royce' we saw at the back before he got injured last season. I was in the attendance at Selhurst Park on the weekend to watch the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace, and despite taking the lead, I always felt that we had to get a second, as I was not confident that we would have a shutout.
It all sounds bizarre as Liverpool sit atop the Premier League, but a clean sheet against Brighton on the weekend would be more than welcome. Alisson, has not kept a clean sheet since returning from injury, and Liverpool are yet to keep one at home in any competition this season. The mentality of the team is not in question, the days are far removed when Liverpool cold not come back from behind, or when they would get turned over by a team whom were in need of points. But what undid them last season was drawing games, any other season the points they amassed would have brought them the title, but they are competing with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, so you almost have to be perfect to finish over them. To only lose once and not win the league, leaves a scar that can only be healed by lifting the Premier League trophy this season. Liverpool fans do not feel they will be beaten anymore, they just do not want to draw vital games that will let City back into the title picture. So some have to be forgiven for some of their pessimism despite Liverpool's brilliant start to the season, the quality Manchester City have can do this to you. As good as Leicester are, it is unlikely that they can stay above City, what may aid the Foxes is the fact they have no European distractions, but it is still unlikely.
The exciting 'heavy metal' football associated with Jurgen Klopp is not as prominent as earlier on in his reign, as he has realised that energy needs to be reserved when possible. Albeit a section of fans just want to watch a game where their blood pressure is not put to the test, would they swap the points for beautiful free flowing football every game? No, of course not, but this does not mean they are not going to comment on a game whilst it is happening, they are human after all. Some may say that is being ungrateful or entitled as Liverpool are the most dominant they have been for many a year, but believe me it is not really. In fact, it could not be further from the truth. Winning games late on, means less time for key players to rest, so the fans will not be able to be composed until the long drought without a league title is finally over. When Manchester United in the nineties and the 2000's were winning like this, it brought league titles, so until Liverpool get theirs, you have it lingering a the back of your mind that you went through all this emotionally and still did not get the golden nugget, and that is a bitter pill to swallow. The comeback in May at home to Barcelona, and going on to win the Champions League was unforgettable, but a majority if not all fans would have swapped that for Premier League success. Only because we had won the Champions League before that as recent as 2005, so though losing to Milan in 2007, and the Real Madrid-Karius debacle in the 2017/18 campaign cut deep, winning the league is more than essential. Depending on your age, you would know that Liverpool came close in 2001/2, and then became the first team to only lose two matches and not win the Premier League in 2008/9. Manchester City's games in hand in 2013/14 and the infamous 'Gerrard slip', all amounted to Liverpool falling short of title. So adding being one point short last season, when only losing one game, again a Premier League first, it is easy to be melodramatically nervous about it all. Questioning a Klopp starting xi, complaining about not keeping a clean sheet, moaning about a lack of signings to build squad depth, are just what happens when you have so many different fans from around the world. Everyone is saying varying things, just not all of them are on social media, someone is thinking the same way as you, they just may be in a pub or in their house. All of us want the same thing at the end of the day. Add to that, they are small numbers of rival fans and others who are making troll accounts posing as Liverpool fans tearing into Klopp. Clearly these people have nothing better to do with their time.
Liverpool will go through in their Champions League group, mark my word, as even a draw is enough. But surely it is easy to understand that the whole point you want a manageable group, is so that you can qualify from it as early as possible, so having to do it again on the last day, is obviously going to ruffle some feathers. This is in the same way that if qualification had been sorted earlier, we would have all been thankful for the draw being kind to us for once. Fear of losing out in another battle for the league is the dark cloud that hangs over some fans, and until the drought is over, expect more moaning and oversight on your Twitter timeline or your Facebook feed, or indeed any Liverpool forum you enter. I myself get annoyed when I see some supporters saying they want to be knocked out of the domestic cups as this will improve any chance of winning the league. Look...we are Liverpool, and winning breeds winning, it is in our DNA to win trophies, so I am not here for any of that talk. Believe however, if the title does come in May, we will all be celebrating together regardless, crowding the streets of Merseyside, for an epic historical moment.
@DubulDee
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