Wenger and Klopp in search of lost flow
LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp have their backs to the wall as their teams go in search of restorative victories in the Premier League this weekend.
Arsenal have fallen 12 points off the pace after successive losses against Wat ford and leaders Chelsea, while Liverpool are a point further back following a dismal sequence of five league games without victory.
Klopp’s men entertain secondplace Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Saturday and Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is hopeful they will rise to the occasion.
“To be fair, in the big games it’s been the best kind of football we’ve played this season, so I think it’s easier for everyone to perform in those kind of games,” he told the Liverpool website.
“Sometimes you’re in a flow and sometimes not. We’re in a situation where we’re not in a flow, but we must have confidence and faith we can change it.
“We showed it against Chelsea (in a 1-1 draw last month), but we have to show that against other teams we’re playing against.”
Liverpool, who have dropped out of the top four, lost 2- 0 at thirdbottom Hull City last weekend, following previous losses against Bournemouth, Burnley and Swansea City. But they have a strong record against other sides in the top six, having taken 13 points from a possible 21 in matches against the other teams in the Champions League mix.
Following a disappointing 0- 0 draw at strugglers Sunderland, Tottenham reasserted their title credentials with a narrow 1- 0 home win over Middlesbrough last weekend.
Spurs went through a slump of their own in October and November, winning just once in 10 outings in all competitions, but have won 11 of their 14 matches since.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, like Klopp, favours ahigh-energy, high - pressing style of football and
To be fair, in the big games it’s been the best kind of football we’ve played this season, so I think it’s easier for everyone to perform in those kind of games. Georginio Wijnaldum, Dutch midfielder
he has backed the German to come through his team’s current slump. “I cannot speak for another coach, but Klopp with his experience, he is clever like other managers to provide good balance,” Pochettino said. “If you win, you are a genius; if you don’t win, you are criticised. You need to be natural , spontaneous and believe in the way you play, use your methods. Arsenal’s title hopes appeared to be ended for another season by last weekend’s 3 - 1 defeat at Chelsea, which left Wenger’s side below Spurs and Manchester City in fourth place. Amid mounting dissent within Arsenal’s fanbase, Wenger has urged everyone associated with the club to rally behind his team ahead of Saturday’s home game against Marco Silva’s revitalised Hull .— AFP