It’s summit special if Klopp can keep Reds at the top
JURGEN KLOPP has proved himself a masterful magician since arriving at Anfield to start his “heavy metal” revolution.
Turning Liverpool from nearly men to Champions League and Premier League winners with a brand of football that’s devoured all-comers and wowed the watching world has guaranteed the German a place in Anfield’s illustrious managerial hall of fame.
And rightly so.
His next trick, though, will be much more difficult to pull off.
It’s one thing forcing your way to the summit. Staying at No.1 demands more of everything that got you there.
Challenge
And that’s the challenge facing Klopp and his stars after a penalty shoot-out defeat by Arsenal in a Community Shield curtain raiser that proves staying still can be fatal.
Fitness wise, Arsenal were undercooked in comparison to Liverpool – especially in the latter stages when the league champions came on strong.
Klopp’s men were fresh from a training camp in Austria with the Gunners back at Wembley just 28 days after winning the FA Cup against Chelsea.
But Arsenal more than gave Liverpool a game – a clear signal perhaps that the newly-crowned kings of England won’t have it quite so easy next season. on.
Liverpool’s title run had the perfect mix – no significant injuries, everyone firing on all cylinders and the hunger of ending a 30- years drought a driving force every single game.
veryone unger ing
Can Liverpool create that dynamic again? Knowing Klopp he’ll have ve a plan up his sleeve.
Kop fans will hope that involves ves new signings with Bayern rn Munich’s Spanish midfielder er Thiago on Klopp’s wish list.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s usual first rst move after winning each of his 13
JOY: Scorer Aubameyang
Premier League titles was to challenge his dressing room by making a significant signing.
That was in an era where the competition p wasn’t as deep, p fierce or well- funded as it is now. Make no mistake Liverpool’s squad is packed with talent – both experienced and youthful.
It doesn’t require much tinkering, just the odd tweak.
And the way Klopp’s stars d dominated the ball for long spel spells against Mikel Arteta’s Ars Arsenal side shows we can expect Liverpool to be pushing hard for the top p prize.
But so too w will Pep Guardiola’s w wounded deposed cham champions at Manche Manchester City – part particularly if Lione Lionel Messi is in their line line-up.
C Chelsea hav have stated their intent with a £200million summer spending spree while it’s odds on Manchester United won’t keep their chequebook under lock and key until the window shuts in early October with their fans demanding the arrival of Jadon Sancho.
Arsenal’s resurgence under Arteta looks in full swing too after a gallant effort yesterday.
They looked a threat on the break and in young players like Bukaya Saka, Eddie Nketiah , Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock they have a bright future.
Punch
The Gunners have never lacked attacking punch in recent years despite the absence of a Premier League challenge.
But the days of them looking flaky and vulnerable at the back have been addressed by Arteta.
The Arsenal of old would have struggled to hang on for penalties as Liverpool pushed for an equaliser after Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang’s early opener
The brilliant Gabon striker scored two goals apiece in the FA Cup semifinals and final.
And he made Wembley his own again
with a fabulous bulous 12th-minute finish after schooling ng Kop kid Neco Williams. Williams, , filling in for missing England star Trent nt Alexander-arnold, is a decent threat hreat from full back.
The youngster oungster has a big future but he looked oked every inch the defensive novice as s he failed to shut down the Arsenal striker who conjured an excellent t curled finish past keeper Alisson.
Nketiah h could have made it 2-0 after 17 minutes but was denied by Alisson son before Liverpool mounted a strong second-half fightback.
Emiliano ano Martinez made a decisive save to deny Sadio Mane before Takumi Minamino scored his first goal for Liverpool with a cool finish sh to send the game to a penalty shoot-out.
Arsenal nal t r i u mph mphed e d as Aubameyang yang – who else – scored the winning ning kick after Rhian Brewster’s r’s earlier miss.
And that’s hat’s left Klopp in little doubt his s side face a harder task to hold on n to the League than their effort to win it.
Game on.