Liverpool’s Road Ahead: Navigating Crucial Away Games

For the great majority of Reds who are still recovering from Sunday’s encounter, the focus will naturally be on watching four incredible goals that secured the three points at Anfield. However, amidst all the madness and celebrations from this one, there will be a few who have already started to look ahead to what Jurgen Klopp calls ‘the most intense period in football’. It is hard and near impossible for your eyes not to be drawn towards the United and Arsenal games under the lights of Anfield in a matter of weeks. However, over the next seven days, Liverpool face what has been something of a kryptonite for them in recent times. There is a dross issue to be fixed away from home.

Addressing Liverpool’s Away Game Dilemma

A painful return to recent history is all that is needed as evidence of Liverpool’s issues with the lower placed teams away. A point at Luton which produced similar wastefulness from the forwards to Sunday’s encounter saw us lucky to come away with a point in the end. Notice how it has never been City, Newcastle, or those near the top as the issue. Cast your mind back further to last season and it is even more hurtful to relive abject performances that ended in defeat against the likes of Forest and Bournemouth (especially after the 7-0 victory over Manchester United). Liverpool’s away record has been praised, but there is an issue that needs to be put to bed.

Upcoming Challenges: Sheffield and Palace

(written before last night’s game)

When you look at the next two, the stage is again set for another story of frustration. Sheffield United are bottom of the league, have only won one game, have their main striker suspended, and may well be without a manager for this if rumours are to be believed. Could there be any more red flags for Liverpool fans based on recent history? Palace are closer to mid-table in twelfth, but when you combine the fact that they have lost their last two at home with Doucoure’s injury and the Hodgson factor, then nothing screams more of a dross factor. This is something that needs putting to bed like the 12:30 issue was against Wolves for success. Guess what time the Palace game is…

Klopp’s Strategy for Liverpool’s Future Success

Injuries are definitely not helping as Joel Matip joined others with what Jurgen Klopp intimated could be a serious one, yet there should still be more than enough in the tank for the visit to Bramhall Lane. Whether there is any debate about the forwards needing to come to the party sharpish or the importance of rotation, it is a question against the mentality. Liverpool are starting to creep into the conversation for ultimate honours at the end of the season and whilst there will be hurdles to overcome, this is the next one on the track. Whatever future Jurgen Klopp is painting with Liverpool 2.0, they have got to start using non-drip dross and soon.