A Week of Unprecedented Football Drama
It’s been quite a week, hasn’t it? So much has transpired since Liverpool were so inexcusably robbed at Tottenham that the match could easily have occurred months ago. From seemingly having everyone’s back in the aftermath of possibly the worst decision in Premier League history, it didn’t take long for the tide to turn and for tribalism to kick in, with the Reds back to being public enemy number one.
Liverpool’s Strong Statement and Klopp’s Bold Call
Liverpool’s strongly worded statement on Sunday evening sent many rival fans into a tailspin, while Jürgen Klopp calling for the game to be replayed has led to an even stronger reaction. In truth, the Reds’ manager won’t get his wish, and it’s highly likely that he doesn’t even want a replay, instead merely doing his utmost to highlight the need for change in the game.
Klopp’s Strategic Long Game
As well as clearly desiring football to improve for the better, Klopp also appears to be playing the long game and creating a siege mentality at Liverpool. It is an “us against the world” type of approach that he will be hoping can steer his side to glory this season, with the German rightly feeling hard done by, following numerous poor decisions.
Comparisons to Football Management Legends
It is easy to imagine Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger handling this situation in exactly the same way if it had happened to their sides in the 1990s, while it is also straight out of the Jose Mourinho mid-2000s textbook. Liverpool must now channel the mindset that Klopp has instilled in them for the remainder of the season, in a campaign that feels as though a title push is more possible by the week.
Granted, the defeat to Spurs was a bitter pill to swallow, and was Liverpool’s first loss in the Premier League since April, but they outplayed their much-lauded opponents on their own turf before Curtis Jones was sent-off, and matched them with both nine and 10 men, too.
Liverpool’s Resilience and New Signings
Last season, the Reds would have capitulated as soon as Jones was dismissed, losing 3-0 or 4-0, but Klopp has made some fantastic signings and is enjoying his 2.0 chapter at Anfield, creating another potential winning machine. Not only are Liverpool appearing like a superb side, but their rivals aren’t exactly setting the world alight either, with Man City losing at Wolves, highlighting how vital the absent Rodri is for them.
Assessing the Rivals
Speaking of the Gunners, they were beaten at Lens in the Champions League on Tuesday night and have not played consistently well yet this season, so there is nothing significant to fear about them. As for Spurs, they showed that a title push is unlikely once their current good luck runs out, given the manner in which Liverpool outperformed them in the first half, while Newcastle, Man United and Chelsea aren’t close to being good enough to go all the way.
The Reds’ Rising Chances
City are still the favourites, of course, considering the quality and depth in their squad, but the Reds’ chances feel greater than they did back in August. In Klopp, they have a revitalised figure who seems as hungry as ever to spark debate, try and take the modern game forward, and most importantly, inspire his Liverpool team to further glories.
Imagine the fume if the siege mentality Reds go all the way this season…
