The Kopite View

                                     Liverpool Are Now Finding Different Ways To Get Results

Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Sunderland at the weekend was another important three points for Klopp’s men as they continue their impressive start to the season, but it wasn’t as easy as many Reds’ supporters had anticipated, with Davie Moyes setting his team out to defend and make it as difficult as possible for Liverpool.

In recent seasons Liverpool would’ve ended up finishing the game 0-0, but this team under Klopp is finding different ways to get positive results, and Saturday was another example.

Liverpool were not at their brilliant best on Saturday and struggled to get behind Sunderland’s deep-lying defence, and seeing Coutinho stretchered off in the first half didn’t help matters, but the Reds stayed patient and continued to press until they finally penetrated Sunderland’s stubborn defence when Origi fired in a superb opener before Milner’s penalty sealed the victory after Mane was fouled in the box in stoppage time.

It looked like Liverpool were going to draw 0-0 for the second game in a row against another team that wanted to ‘park the bus’ to frustrate the Reds, but patience was the key on Saturday and they got their reward in the end with the three points.

The previous week at Southampton, Liverpool should have won after creating enough chances in a dominant display, but although they only picked up a point, in recent years they would’ve lost a game like that away from home, and the clean sheet proved important.

Liverpool are finding different ways to pick up points this season and that is proving to be an important factor in why they are in such a good league position.

                                              Liverpool’s Injury Problems Won’t Worry Klopp

Liverpool return to action this weekend at Southampton as they hope to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League, the Reds are sitting proudly at the top for the first time in two years and expectations are high after an impressive run of form.

But another international break leaves supporters wondering whether they can pick up where they left off a couple of weeks ago.

The rampant 6-1 win over Watford has the fans wanting more, and it has been a long two weeks waiting on the next fixture.

The biggest concern for managers and supporters alike regarding international breaks is the worry about players picking up injuries, especially from a Liverpool point of view, because they’ve had more than their fair share, and once again they are left cursing their luck with Adam Lallana picking up an injury playing for England against Spain on Tuesday night, and recent reports suggest Coutinho has also picked up an injury whilst on duty for Brazil after sightings of him in hospital yesterday.

Lallana and Coutinho have been two of Liverpool’s most influential players this season and the news comes as a big disappointment to Reds’ supporters.

In the recent past, injuries to key players would be a disaster for Liverpool, but Klopp has built a strong squad and I’m sure he isn’t too worried about the unfortunate injury news to his players.

Klopp has everyone fighting for a place in the team at the moment and if Lallana and Coutinho are unable to play then it gives others a chance to stake a claim for a place in the first team.

Obvious replacements to step in to the injured players’ boots are Wijnaldum and Daniel Sturridge, and they are not bad replacements, and they are both desperate to play.

Liverpool will still have a strong team despite their injury problems for the trip to Southampton and this is the impressive factor that Klopp has implemented at Liverpool, the squad is strong enough to compete for honours this season, and relying on certain players anymore.

                                            Liverpool Supporters Shouldn’t Worry About The Defence

Liverpool are sitting proudly on top of the Premier League, and although most supporters are enjoying every minute of it, there are still critics out there that are questioning whether they have the credentials to become title winners.

Most people are rightly praising Liverpool’s attacking ability but also questioning their defending, and you can understand their concern over the Reds’ defending when they have only managed to keep one clean sheet this season.

Many people thought Liverpool’s defence cost them the title two seasons ago because similar to this season, they scored plenty but kept conceding, but this season I think it is much different.

I trust Klopp has brought in a better goalkeeper than Simon Mignolet, it is early days for Karius in his Liverpool career, and he has been a little shaky in a few of his games but he looked much better in the 6-1 win over Watford and his confidence will grow as the season goes on.

Milner is playing like veteran full-back, certainly not one that is playing his first season in a new position, and Clyne is as dependable a full-back as you will see on the other side of defence.

Liverpool’s current central-defensive partnership of Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren are growing together as a pairing and overall they look solid.

Klopp has other options in defence with Joe Gomez returning from injury a major boost as he can cover every defensive position, Klavan, Moreno and Lucas are others that can cover if needed and the German isn’t afraid to use his younger squad members if he has to.

When the individual errors are eradicated, for example, Lovren’s at Crystal Palace, then you will see more clean sheets by Liverpool.

Liverpool played against West Brom, Crystal Palace and Watford, all big, strong, physical teams, teams that the Reds have a history of struggling against, and although they conceded goals against each team, they beat each team, and I felt they defended well against them, by not allowing them many set-pieces to take advantage of, because they are all dangerous teams in set-piece situations.

The whole Liverpool team are working so hard and they are defending from the front with Firmino being a clear example of that.

Time will tell if Liverpool’s defence is strong enough to see them challenge for the title this season, personally, I have every faith in them.

Liverpool supporters are expressing their deepest sympathies to Danny Ings after the news broke that he is to have an operation on his right knee after damaging it in the 2-1 win over Spurs in the Capital One Cup last Tuesday night.

It is terrible news for the player after recently returning from an injury that kept him out for most of last season.

Ings has been returning to match fitness by featuring in the under 23s fixtures, and he has been scoring a number of goals in the process, but this latest setback is a devastating blow to his career at Anfield, and it will be tough for him to come back from another serious injury.

I think it would’ve been hard enough for Ings to feature in Liverpool’s first team this season anyway, but this latest setback will see him fall further down the pecking order as Klopp’s team evolves.

It is really tough luck on a player that has showed 100% commitment since arriving at Anfield and I’m sure all Liverpool supporters wish Danny a speedy recovery.