They Never Walked Alone…
We have to give it to Liverpool fans, they are some of the most passionate around the world. The sheer love and support the club gets is incomparable to but a few others in Europe. Every year, Liverpool fans drool at the prospect of finally lifting the English Premier League trophy. Nevertheless, the sad reality is, the club has yet to win the Premier League. Liverpool has stacked up a staggering 18 league titles. But, since the inception of the English Premier League in 1992, they’ve failed to achieve that feat.
Rebirth?
The last five years, have seen a Liverpool Reds resurgence under Brendan Rogers (although that story ended badly) and now under Jurgen “Heavy-Metal” Klopp. Since Klopp assumed the manager position, the club’s fortune have been ever improving. Any team needs a transition period to settle to a new manager’s style. And so, in his second full season in charge, Klopp has imbued the Reds with his “gegenpressing” mentality which is currently seeing them play some of their best football in the last decade! With players as talented as Coutinho in the starting 11, the future seems bright!
This season:
The Reds are on a frightening form currently. Indeed, they’re currently undefeated in their last 9 fixtures. They are the highest scoring team in the league. They have some of the most entertaining attacking football in Europe. And, the pool of talent at their disposal is reaching its peak. One thing seems to be denting that record, their inability to keep a clean sheet, unlike some other teams. Jurgen Klopp’s men have kept only one clean sheet so far this season, and even then, it came in a 0-0 draw at home against a struggling Manchester United.
Nevertheless, one can’t deny the sense of optimism around Anfield as Liverpool sits alone on top of the English Premier League. They’re edging ahead, leaving the rest of the teams behind them. This weekend’s flurry of goals against a usually resilient Watford has come as a warning call to the rest of the league. This game showed the “We’re in it to win it”mentality Klopp instills in his teams. Over here at FootAndBall, we sure do hope they keep it up. The competition is tight, and a few other teams will be challenging till the last day.
Liverpool vs Watford:
Liverpool Starting 11 vs Watford
First Half:
Liverpool started the game at Anfield without any hesitation, and went forward fearlessly from kick-off! The team was playing with fluidity and intent, a quality every manager thrives to achieve. It didn’t take long for them to establish a clear dominance. Indeed, within the first half hour (27th minute), Mane beautifully directed a Coutinho corner into the Watford goal. Just like that it was 1-0!
Less than 3 minutes later, Coutinho fired an exquisite shot through a defender’s legs from the edge of the box. Bam 2-0! The Reds were on fire! Before the end of the half, Can would make a surging run forward into the box, to head a Lallana cross into the net.
Second Half:
Jurgen Klopp’s men showed desire and persistence in the second half. With the game all but won, instead of shifting down gears and seeing out the game, they still gave their best. By the 53rd minute, Firminio was celebrating his well earned 5th goal of the season. Three minutes later, Friminio turned provider by assisting Mane’s second goal of the game with a delicate through ball.
Nevertheless, in the 75th min, and on a rare Watford foray forward, the away team managed to pull a goal back through Daryl Janmaat. But, Liverpool wouldn’t relinquish their 5 goal cushion, and so, in the first of minute of extra time, Georgino Wijdalnum scored Sturrdige’s rebound into the net. What an ending! 6-1!
This game saw both Firminio and Coutinho achieve the 5 goal, 5 assist mark. While Sadio Mane hit his 6th goal, one of the best starts by a new signing.
Liverpool’s strength this season seems to stem from the diversity of their scorers, with almost all of the starting 11 and subs contributing in making the Reds’ attack the most potent in the league. Do you think they can keep up their form? Or is this just another false dawn for the sleeping giant?