The Kopite View

                                              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.

Liverpool Beat ‘Bogey’ Team

Ever since that thrilling 4-3 FA Cup semi-final defeat in 1990 Crystal Palace have been a bit of a bogey team for Liverpool, they have been a thorn in the Anfield club’s side on numerous occasions and more recently they ended the Reds title hopes a couple of seasons ago when they came back from 3 goals down to draw 3-3 in the last 10 minutes, Palace also beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield last season.

Every Liverpool supporter knew it would not be an easy game against a team that has caused so many problems in the past, but they also knew it was fixtures like these that they must win if they are to remain serious title contenders.

Jurgen Klopp only made one change from the team that beat West Brom last weekend with Alberto Moreno replacing James Milner who had been unwell during the week.

Liverpool started the game in dominant fashion and deservedly took the lead after a great move down the left saw Moreno’s first time volleyed-cross turned in by Emre Can.

Liverpool’s celebrations were cut short when Dejan Lovren’s miscued clearance allowed James McArthur to head past the onrushing Karius to equalise.

You could see Lovren’s disgust at his mistake by the look on his face, but the big defender was quick to respond to his mistake by giving Liverpool the lead for the second time by heading in a Coutinho corner.

It was a whirlwind few minutes but Liverpool were playing some outstanding football by creating a host of chances with Alan Pardew’s men trying to stay in the game.

Then against the run of play Palace equalised for a second time when McArthur scored his second header of the game after beating Lovren to a header from a right-wing cross.

It was amazing how Palace were still in the game after Liverpool’s dominant first half display, but the Reds did go back in front just before half-time when they scored from another corner-kick, this time it was Matip who headed in his Liverpool goal to give the visitors a 3-2 lead.

Palace started the second half better and had Liverpool on the back foot for some time and had a couple of strong claims for penalties during this spell but Andre Marriner waved them away.

Liverpool remained a threat on the break and Mane was unlucky not to score when sent clear only to see his effort saved by the foot of Mandanda.

The Reds put the game to bed with a fourth goal when Henderson’s defence splitting pass was superbly finished off with a clever chip over the Palace keeper by Firmino.

You could see the energy from the Palace team and supporters drain after Firmino’s goal as Liverpool managed the remaining minutes comfortably.

                                                       Verdict

Liverpool are playing some great attacking football at the moment and most teams are struggling to cope with their high tempo, energetic pace they play at combined with their movement that leaves defenders chasing shadows.

However, they keep conceding goals that allows teams to stay in the game, but most goals conceded are from individual mistakes and I don’t expect them to continue making them much longer, so I think Liverpool’s defensive record will improve because Lovren and Matip are forming a good partnership in the centre of defence with Clyne and Milner playing very solid at full-back.

My only concern defensively is the goalkeeping position with current number one Karius not convincing me that he is better than Mignolet at the moment. It is early days in his Liverpool career and hopefully time will prove that he will be an upgrade on Mignolet.

Liverpool are on a great run of form and they will take some stopping, they are genuine title contenders this season.

Liverpool V West Brom Preview

Liverpool will be hoping to get back to winning ways after drawing 0-0 with their bitter rivals last Monday night. The Reds were left frustrated by Jose Mourinho’s tactics and they will probably face similar tactics from a West Brom side managed by Tony Pulis.

Klopp’s men have been on a good run of form, with an eight game unbeaten run in all competitions taking them only two points off the top of the league.

Saturday’s visitors to Anfield are on a good run of form too, after beating West Ham 4-2, they’ve remained unbeaten with three 1-1 draws in a row, with their latest against high flying Tottenham.

                                                TEAM NEWS

Liverpool missed Adam Lallana from the start against Manchester United because he has arguably been their player of the season so far, and he made a big difference when he came on as substitute in the second half.

Lallana could start after having a full week’s training this week.

Georginio Wijnaldum should also return to the squad, but it might be too soon for him to start after recovering from an injury he picked on international duty with Holland.

Klopp will probably want to start Lallana, so it will be interesting to see who he leaves out.

It will probably be either Daniel Sturridge or Emre Can that will be unlucky, and personally I think it will be Sturridge with Firmino playing in that central striking role, Can’s strength will be important against such a physical team as West Brom.

The defence should remain unchanged, although I expect Karius to be tested more than he was against United because West Brom will have noticed that the young German has looked vulnerable at crosses in his first few games between the sticks for the Reds.

Johnny Evans is suspended for the fixture after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season last weekend, and he is the only player missing from Tony Pulis’ squad.

Liverpool’s predicted team (4-3-3): Karius, Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner, Henderson, Can, Lallana, Mane, Firmino, Coutinho.

West Brom’s predicted team (4-4-1-1): Foster, Nyom, McAuley, Dawson, Olsson, Fletcher, Yacob, Phillips, McClean, Chadli, Rondon.

                                           PREDICTION: LIVERPOOL 2-1 WEST BROM

I think Liverpool edge this in a tight game because under Klopp they are finding ways to win games that they used to struggle in as was in evidence at Swansea a few weeks ago.

Liverpool’s defence will be tested by West Brom’s threat from set-pieces, but Lovren and Matip are both strong in the air and are forming a good partnership in the centre of defence.

An early goal for the Reds is key and they must bounce back to winning ways after stuttering against United.

                                            United’s Tactics Prove Liverpool Are Real Deal

Monday night’s clash between Liverpool and Manchester United was built up to be a classic encounter, but instead it turned out to be the most boring game between two England’s two most successful clubs in many years.

Liverpool could only muster three shots on target despite playing at home, whilst United had only one effort on target.

This was Jose Mourinho’s first visit to Anfield as United boss and although he is managing a new team his tactics are still the same.

When Mourinho was manager of Real Madrid, he tried to stop Barcelona playing and more recently as Chelsea boss he frustrated and broke Liverpool hearts when he infamously ‘parked the bus’ at Anfield to come away with a 2-0 win that ultimately cost the Reds their first chance of winning the league title since 1990.

The familiar spoiling tactics he has deployed whenever playing against a rival team was once again implemented on Monday night as he set his team out to frustrate.

Mourinho ‘park the bus’ tactics are anti-football in many football supporters eyes, but they do prove successful on many occasions, and he will be happy to have taken a point away from Anfield.

But the former Chelsea manager’s tactics are an obvious show of respect for Liverpool because he only sets his team out with such a negative approach against teams that he believes are a threat to his.

Although Mourinho’s tactics are tried and trusted in the ‘big’ fixtures, you would think that all the money United have spent in the summer to improve their team, they would come to Anfield with a bit more ambition.

Signing quality players like Pogba, Mkhitaryan and Ibrahimovic should make United a real attacking threat for any team and it is a real testament to Klopp and his team of how highly Mourinho rates them by playing so defensive.

It is quite surprising to hear many United supporters applaud Mourinho’s tactics against Liverpool because they came away with a point from Anfield with such a defensive approach and show no ambition to win the game.

The result was a disappointment for Liverpool supporters once again as they watched their team stifled by Mourinho’s negative tactics, but his tactics are a mark of respect to Klopp’s men, if a club like Manchester United fear them.

Scared To Lose

After all the hype surrounding the clash between Liverpool and Manchester United, the game itself turned out to be one of the most boring spectacles in many years.

A typical Jose Mourinho master class earned United a point in a goalless draw at Anfield last night.

Rashford’s heavy challenge in the first minute was a clear indication that United were going to make it difficult for Liverpool.

The hosts struggled in the first half hour of the match to find their usual fluent passing game as United started the game the brighter without threating to score.

Liverpool’s best chance of the first half came from a weak Firmino header that De Gea handled easily.

Liverpool played better in the second half and United had their keeper to thank for keeping them in the game with two brilliant saves.

But although Mourinho set his team out to frustrate Liverpool in typical fashion, Klopp’s team played rather cautiously considering they were at home with Can and Henderson staying deep in midfield for the most part of the game.

Whenever one team had the ball the other team were quick to get players behind the ball.

United couldn’t afford to lose and Mourinho knew that and he made sure his team would be difficult to score against.

But with Klopp starting the nervy Karius in goal once again, he could have taken all three points if United put Liverpool’s new keeper under more pressure.

The draw isn’t the worst result in the world for Liverpool as it puts them only two points off the top of the league and still three points clear of United, and recording their first clean sheet of the season is very encouraging after conceding too many goals since the start of the season.

Overall I just felt both teams were too scared of losing the match.

Magic Milner

Liverpool made a shrewd signing last year when they acquired the services of England international James Milner from Manchester City.

The experienced utility man wanted regular football and felt a move away from the Etihad was the only way he would get to play more often.

Brendan Rodgers was the Liverpool manager at the time when he arrived at Anfield, but he has flourished under current boss Jurgen Klopp.

The German loves players that have an abundance of energy and work their socks off and Milner is thriving under the leadership of Klopp.

After a good first season at Anfield playing in numerous midfield positions Klopp has transformed Milner into a left-back.

The left-back berth had been a problem position last season with Alberto Moreno heavily suffering much criticism after some poor performances.

Many supporters including myself thought that Liverpool had to dip into the transfer market to buy a left-back, but Klopp had other ideas and Milner has been superb so far this season playing in his new role.

Milner has such a great attitude that he can do a job anywhere in the team but Klopp’s decision to play him at left-back is an inspired one.

The former Manchester City player has been solid defensively and instrumental offensively by producing numerous assists, he’s also contributed goals and has scored three penalties in his last two games.

Milner is arguably Liverpool’s best player this season and who would have thought it playing left-back other than Klopp ?

Liverpool Striker Struggling

Jurgen Klopp has transformed Liverpool in only one year in charge.

Two cup finals and a tremendous start to this season has Reds fans enthusiastic for the rest of this season.

Most of the players in Klopp’s squad seem to be singing off the same hymn sheet with their high tempo and energetic performances.

But one player is struggling to fit into Klopp’s style of play, and that man is Daniel Sturridge.

In fairness to Sturridge he missed a large part of last season through injury that left him playing catch up into acclimatising to Klopp’s intense training and playing style.

In recent seasons Sturridge has been Liverpool’s number one striker but Klopp has a different view and the England striker has been left frustrated sitting on the bench for more games than he would like.

Sturridge is a fantastic finisher and a tremendous striker but I think Klopp isn’t too keen on his work rate.

The German wants his players to work hard and put in a lot of running and it is noticeable that Sturridge hasn’t been as industrious as some of his teammates.

It might be the fact that all his injury problems have taken their toll on his body and that he is unable to push himself as hard as he used to, or it might be a mental problem, where he is worried about breaking down again.

Whatever the problem is, you don’t see Sturridge sprinting behind the last defender or running flat out very often and it is costing him a regular place in the team.

Roberto Firmino looks as if he is Klopp’s preffered choice to lead Liverpool’s attack because his work rate is amazing and although he isn’t as clinical a finisher as Sturridge, he contributes more for the team.

It will be interesting if Sturridge plays on Monday against Manchester United.

Personally I think if everyone is fit then Sturridge will once again be left disappointed sitting on the bench.

Can Sturridge evolve his game to fit into Klopp’s team ?

Time will tell.

Klopp’s Big Decision

Liverpool have started the season well and have put themselves in a good position in the Premier League table with some good results in some tough fixtures but Monday night’s game against bitter  rivals Manchester United could have a major significance regarding what kind of season the Reds will have.

Reds’ boss Jurgen Klopp must be happy with how his team is playing at the moment, especially with his team’s attack making them joint top scorers in the league, but he has a big decision to make for Monday night’s crunch game regarding who will play in goal ?

Simon Mignolet has been first choice for the last three seasons but has lost his place to Karius for the last two league games.

However, the German stopper hasn’t looked convincing, especially in his last outing against Swansea City where he flapped at a couple of crosses and looked very nervy as the game progressed.

It might be a bit harsh to drop Karius after just two games but I think it is just too big a risk to play him against United.

Yes, he could play a blinder and cement his position as Liverpool’s number one keeper but if he has another poor game it could really shatter his confidence more so than being dropped will in my opinion.

Mignolet is not the greatest keeper but he is the safer option to start on Monday, hopefully Karius will prove to be an upgrade on Mignolet in time but he needs time to prove himself and personally I hope Klopp selects Mignolet on Monday.