Tougher tests await, but Reds live up to title hype
LIVERPOOL: Juergen Klopp warned much tougher challenges lie ahead of Liverpool’s quest to end a near three-decade wait to win the Premier League after brushing aside West Ham 4-0 at a jubilant Anfield on Sunday.
Mohamed Salah opened his account for the season, Sadio Mane scored twice and Daniel Sturridge added a late fourth in an impressive display by Klopp’s men as £65 million goalkeeper Alisson Becker kept a clean sheet on debut.
Liverpool haven’t been crowned champions of England since 1989/90 and finished 25 points behind City last season.
But after reaching the Champions League final in May and spending more than anyone else in the Premier League in the off-season, there is palpable belief that wait will come to an end in May.
“We know about our expectations and noticed the very positive atmosphere around us in the whole pre-season,” said Klopp.
“It’s good people are positive, but the season again will be unbelievably hard.”
Klopp has tried to keep a lid on expectations given the gap to City last season despite spending a reported £170 million.
“We cannot be anything different than the challenger because we have not won anything since I’ve been in [charge], a long time. We have to invest more, fight more,” he added.
“West Ham will play a good season but they are not the [Manchester] Uniteds or [Manchester] Citys. We have to be ready week in, week out for the different challenges.”
There was little tinkering for Klopp to do up front after Salah, Mane and Roberto Firmino combined for 91 goals last season, and they again provided the firepower to outclass a sorry West Ham despite their own near £100 million outlay on nine new players.
Former City and Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini, now at West Ham, is used to competing at the top of the table.
Yet, despite the vast investment in the East Londoners, on this evidence Pellegrini will do well to better West Ham’s 13thplaced finish last season as the visitors were happy to limit the damage after the break.
“Every time that you bring so many players it is difficult. We are just starting the season, but we need to analyse this game,” said Pellegrini. “We are clear and sure that we need to improve.”
Sturridge inflicted the final blow two minutes from time with his first touch after replacing Salah.