Thursday’s Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Burnley saw Liverpool’s 68-game unbeaten run at Anfield end with a whimper. Jurgen Klopp’s ‘mentality monsters’ lost 1-0, their fourth consecutive league game without a goal. Though Liverpool’s form will, eventually, recover – a team of that ability does not falter for too long – there are clear signs that the squad are tired, suffering from both a physical and mental burnout. The title seems to be slipping away from Liverpool, with the world asking, will they recover form in time and what needs to change?
Alan Hansen once said, as part of a larger, rather ill-fated comment, that the trick in football is to buy when you’re strong – let’s for now ignore that he said you can’t win anything with kids. Most would agree that for this, however, he was right. Jurgen Klopp, on the other hand, might disagree. Arguably, the Reds reached their peak at the end of the 2018/19 season, when they missed out on the Premier League title by a single point but managed to lift the Champions League trophy for the sixth time, beating Spurs 2-0 in the final. That summer, Liverpool made no additions to their first team – barring goalkeepers Adrian and Andy Lonergan. Even in January, their sole signing was Takumi Minamino – a player who is yet to really challenge a place in the starting XI.
Granted, the summer of 2020 was slightly busier for the Reds, with Diogo Jota and Thiago both arriving for considerable fees. It is no fault of Liverpool’s either, that they have both suffered with injury – although some Liverpool fans may be frustrated that Jota was risked in a Champions League Group Stage game, after Liverpool had already qualified for the knockouts. Still, the squad that won the Champions League in 2019 is practically the same squad that continues to play week in week out for Liverpool now.
Alan Hansen once said, as part of a larger, rather ill-fated comment, that the trick in football is to buy when you’re strong – let’s for now ignore that he said you can’t win anything with kids. Most would agree that for this, however, he was right. Jurgen Klopp, on the other hand, might disagree. Arguably, the Reds reached their peak at the end of the 2018/19 season, when they missed out on the Premier League title by a single point but managed to lift the Champions League trophy for the sixth time, beating Spurs 2-0 in the final. That summer, Liverpool made no additions to their first team – barring goalkeepers Adrian and Andy Lonergan. Even in January, their sole signing was Takumi Minamino – a player who is yet to really challenge a place in the starting XI.
Granted, the summer of 2020 was slightly busier for the Reds, with Diogo Jota and Thiago both arriving for considerable fees. It is no fault of Liverpool’s either, that they have both suffered with injury – although some Liverpool fans may be frustrated that Jota was risked in a Champions League Group Stage game, after Liverpool had already qualified for the knockouts. Still, the squad that won the Champions League in 2019 is practically the same squad that continues to play week in week out for Liverpool now.
Diogo Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves for around £45m in Summer and has scored five goals in his nine games for Klopp's men.
On one hand, it is a testament to those players that they have been able to compete at the highest level for such a long time. There is no doubting Klopp when he describes them as ‘mentality monsters’. However, the mental and physical burnout the world is now watching them suffer, was inevitable. There is only so long players can compete at such an intense level.
With the modern game as it is, with pressing the key factor, teams are not capable of competing at that level for five seasons or longer anymore. Klopp’s infamous pressing system, which Liverpool have executed incredibly over the last few years, is not designed to work for five or six seasons with the same squad. Physically, and mentally, it is an impossibility.
This is reflected in the game, and the comparatively short length of time managers stay at clubs compared to generations gone by. A manager comes in, imparts their style of play and even when successful, they move on swiftly either before the squad drop their levels or when they are pushed, after the levels drop.
This is true for even the best teams. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side were nowhere near their best last season, following a couple of seasons at the top, and are still some way off it this campaign, with Guardiola a rarity in being afforded the chance to rebuild a squad for a second bite of success and the elusive Champions League.
Now, no one is suggesting Klopp’s job is in peril, far from it. He has earnt the right to rebuild the Liverpool squad, to freshen things up preparing for another push at the top. He does, however, have to look to rebuild. It was understandable why Klopp was reluctant to move players on and bring players in over the last few seasons, risking upsetting the dynamics within his squad. The camaraderie of Liverpool is arguably one of the reasons why they have been so successful. That togetherness, determination and unity are the rarest of imponderables and not easy to come by.
With the modern game as it is, with pressing the key factor, teams are not capable of competing at that level for five seasons or longer anymore. Klopp’s infamous pressing system, which Liverpool have executed incredibly over the last few years, is not designed to work for five or six seasons with the same squad. Physically, and mentally, it is an impossibility.
This is reflected in the game, and the comparatively short length of time managers stay at clubs compared to generations gone by. A manager comes in, imparts their style of play and even when successful, they move on swiftly either before the squad drop their levels or when they are pushed, after the levels drop.
This is true for even the best teams. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side were nowhere near their best last season, following a couple of seasons at the top, and are still some way off it this campaign, with Guardiola a rarity in being afforded the chance to rebuild a squad for a second bite of success and the elusive Champions League.
Now, no one is suggesting Klopp’s job is in peril, far from it. He has earnt the right to rebuild the Liverpool squad, to freshen things up preparing for another push at the top. He does, however, have to look to rebuild. It was understandable why Klopp was reluctant to move players on and bring players in over the last few seasons, risking upsetting the dynamics within his squad. The camaraderie of Liverpool is arguably one of the reasons why they have been so successful. That togetherness, determination and unity are the rarest of imponderables and not easy to come by.
Liverpool won the league by an 18-point margin last season, only losing 3 games and scoring 85 along the way.
With that said, those players who have excelled and shattered every ceiling imaginable, now look tired. They look short of ideas, and increasingly in front of goal – short of confidence. It is time to move some of them on and replace them with fresh energy and optimism in the form of new signings.
This season has been like no other and could not be planned for. Injuries, too, have hampered Liverpool’s season. Virgil Van Dijk has been out since October, Joe Gomez since November, Jota since December. Thiago has only recently made his first appearance at Anfield and Joel Matip is just coming back from a groin injury, returning to Liverpool’s backline for the game against Burnley.
These could not be foreseen – although continual muscle strains could be a result of Liverpool’s lack of depth outside the starting XI in recent seasons, forcing players to have little rest and recovery – and have undoubtedly been a factor in Liverpool’s dip in form. A dip they will recover from. Nonetheless, it has been a worrying few weeks for Liverpool.
The Premier League title seems to be slipping further and further away and defending their title, whilst far from an impossibility, is looking increasingly unlikely. Maybe it is now time for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp to cast an eye on the future, ensure Champions League football for 2021/22 and look to rebuild. It will not be easy to move on some of the players who have returned Liverpool to the highest echelons of football and given Liverpool their first Premier League title. Doing so, however, will free up wages and provide Liverpool with the transfer budget to invest in a hungry, new-look squad that can catapult them up the table.
Liverpool will recover, but it is perhaps too little too late. Klopp’s ‘mentality monsters’ are burning out and in desperate need of fresh life. The time has come to move some on, look ahead to the future and for Klopp to build another squad capable of bringing success. Otherwise, a second Premier League title will look increasingly out of reach.
This season has been like no other and could not be planned for. Injuries, too, have hampered Liverpool’s season. Virgil Van Dijk has been out since October, Joe Gomez since November, Jota since December. Thiago has only recently made his first appearance at Anfield and Joel Matip is just coming back from a groin injury, returning to Liverpool’s backline for the game against Burnley.
These could not be foreseen – although continual muscle strains could be a result of Liverpool’s lack of depth outside the starting XI in recent seasons, forcing players to have little rest and recovery – and have undoubtedly been a factor in Liverpool’s dip in form. A dip they will recover from. Nonetheless, it has been a worrying few weeks for Liverpool.
The Premier League title seems to be slipping further and further away and defending their title, whilst far from an impossibility, is looking increasingly unlikely. Maybe it is now time for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp to cast an eye on the future, ensure Champions League football for 2021/22 and look to rebuild. It will not be easy to move on some of the players who have returned Liverpool to the highest echelons of football and given Liverpool their first Premier League title. Doing so, however, will free up wages and provide Liverpool with the transfer budget to invest in a hungry, new-look squad that can catapult them up the table.
Liverpool will recover, but it is perhaps too little too late. Klopp’s ‘mentality monsters’ are burning out and in desperate need of fresh life. The time has come to move some on, look ahead to the future and for Klopp to build another squad capable of bringing success. Otherwise, a second Premier League title will look increasingly out of reach.
Written by - James McEvoy
Edited by - 3-At-The-Back
Edited by - 3-At-The-Back