Jurgen’s the star man in Liverpool’s title charge
WHO is the star of this current Liverpool team? It’s a question that I’ve asked myself repeatedly over the last few days when making comparisons with the past.
There have been only two genuine title challenges to come from Anfield since the turn of the century — the side managed by Rafa Benitez in which I played during the 2008-09 campaign, and Brendan Rodgers’ group, which came so close three years ago.
Both of those squads had stars. Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano were central to Benitez’s plans; Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling, along with Steven, were spearheads for Rodgers.
After 18 games in 2008, we sat top of the table with 39 points and had scored 27 times; five years later, Liverpool were fourth with 36 points but had amassed 43 goals. The class of 2016/17 has rattled up more points (40) and been more prolific as an attack (45).
But here’s the thing. I’ve been trying to work out how many of Jurgen Klopp’s first choice would get into a combined XI of the last two that pursued the holy grail and the only one I could see being a definite is Philippe Coutinho, to play from the left.
That is why I have to make Klopp the biggest influence in this group as the season begins to take shape. Every time a question has been thrown at him, he hasn’t flinched about going against the grain of public opinion — or pundits! It is a huge asset to have that belief in your decisions.
It was said that Sadio Mane (above) was too expensive, at £30million, when he left Southampton. He’s currently the top scorer and his fee has never been an issue.
When Jordan Henderson played as a holding midfielder at Burnley in August, Klopp was urged never to use him there again. Four months on, the captain is in the form of his life and performing as if he’s played there all his career.
Look at the transformation in Adam Lallana, who is playing the best football of his career as a central midfielder; Roberto Firmino never looked like a striker initially, but has now taken over Sturridge’s position and become, in Klopp’s eyes, the team’s most vital player.
Before Rodgers was sacked in October 2015, remember, Liverpool had scored just eight goals in eight league games.
They will end 2016, however, as the most prolific side in England and Klopp has got to a century of league goals in 48 games — the same time it took Kenny Dalglish’s Double winners of 1986.
It’s also worth highlighting this: eight of the team that beat Stoke on Tuesday played for Rodgers. The numbers show a transformation and how the club is moving forward.
The transformation hasn’t been sparked by a chequebook. A lot of the players worked with Rodgers and Klopp has improved them. His record shows he isn’t someone who will throw huge amounts of money around to get results. If Klopp sees his contract through, he will have been at Anfield for seven years — the same time he was at Mainz and Dortmund. But. There has to be a but! We have heard about long-term projects before at Liverpool, as when Gerard Houllier spoke about having a five-year plan, but this season might actually be Klopp’s best chance of winning the title.
When an opportunity comes, you have to be ready to take it and I wonder whether Liverpool will be able to sustain what they are doing. The bench against Stoke on Tuesday, for instance, was a concern because it lacked depth and Mane going to the Africa Cup of Nations is another blow.
I worry about the goalkeeper situation. Klopp has spent £5m on Loris Karius — does that show he’s not willing to spend big on a No1 like Joe Hart?
Joel Matip has impressed me since he arrived on a free from Schalke but I still think Klopp needs another defender.
Would he or the board ever be willing to contest Manchester City or Chelsea for the £50m signature of Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk? If he wants someone next month, the board have to back him as the stakes could get very big for Liverpool in 2017.