Title defence is in a mess, so use the brilliant FA Cup to turn it around, Jurgen
I’M part of the generation which worships the broad church of the FA Cup – and I reckon Jurgen Klopp will also become a believer this weekend.
Two reasons.
One, he needs a win. Any sort of win. An ugly one will do, but victory over Manchester United – the old rivals and the traditional enemy – would make it truly massive for him.
Second. It’s the FA Cup. It means something.
I’ve been in this situation where your confidence has gone along with your form.
And a change of scenery, that win or bust, no second chances mentality the cup competitions demand, can be liberating.
It’s the FA Cup, for goodness sake.
Klopp will have watched the Wembley cup finals on TV when he was a kid, I can guarantee.
He will know who Ipswich and Coventry are, even if he
KOP THAT FOR A ROCKET Steven Gerrard fires in for Liverpool’s second goal in the 2006 final, which they won on penalties after extra time, but it was the last time they did so had no idea where they were. And the thing is, he knows winning the title is not going to be easy this season now, knows Liverpool are far from favourites.
Not because he has given up on it, but because Manchester City are so good and therefore rightful favourites.
So in that position, what does he need to do?
Ensure Liverpool finish in the top four for a start – that’s the first aim.
To do that he has got to sort out their form.
No goals in four matches is worrying and three points from 15 is a major problem.
They looked lost against Burnley, confused about the gameplay even and suddenly everyone is doubting themselves, doubting each other.
You could see that in the reaction to misses, reactions when players shoot instead of passing. You could argue that means saving all his resources for the league, but I would aggressively go the other way.
There is no better way of boosting confidence, of getting a real sense of purpose and togetherness going than with a good cup run.
It worked for Klopp (below) himself with Liverpool in the 2017-18 Champions League when they got to the final.
I would argue that sparked the rest of the success that followed. It gave them the real belief they were good enough.
Beating United and going on a run to Wembley would remind them of that fact.
And if, as I now believe, City may be too strong, have too much depth for the rest in this demanding, debilitating season, then a couple of trophies would still be a huge success.
The FA Cup is the easiest one now and they’ll want a decent Champions League run. I’m not saying forget the league, far from it. They have to deliver top four, but it’s not a disaster if they don’t defend their title.
Only three teams have done that in the last two decades… and there have been some truly great sides in that time.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could do with a trophy, too. No finals after reaching four semis is beginning to look careless.
So the stakes are even higher than they normally are – and they are just about as high as any game in football when these two teams meet.
I like Klopp’s honesty.
He has made it clear he wanted a centre-half, and didn’t get one. But he has also made it clear there is absolutely no point in whining.
He has to keep his players believing somehow through this run of form and find an answer somewhere along the way.
To me, the FA Cup provides that answer. It is the world’s oldest competition, there will be huge audiences watching around the world.
And it’s being shown on the BBC in the UK, so the highest profile possible.
Pick your best team, tell them to go out and play the game like they remember it from their schooldays.
There’s no disguising the fact Liverpool are in a mess at the moment.
No amount of explanation, of careful words or being gentle with his players and trying not to damage their mentality can hide that. So don’t hide it.
A huge wake-up call is required to turn this around, and what bigger platform than a mouthwatering FA Cup tie?