Level on points at the top of the league. Seven Wins. Zero defeats. Best defence. This is, so far, an incredibly satisfying start to the season. But how have things changed?
Many of us have commented that the frenetic, high-intensity style associated with Klopp has changed this season, and Klopp's admitted that this is by design:
"With the number of games we have, it's not about chasing a game always like crazy, you have to be smart. We try to be that without killing our nature."
It's nice that Klopp has finally caught up with what some of the more tactically astute observers have been saying for a while now. Indeed, two years ago, I said this in a brilliant thread "The Eye Of The Storm":
"The sturm und drang of Liverpool yesterday was intoxicating, it isn't sustainable. We need to find a way, to be brave enough, to do ......nothing. To have periods of the game in which we agree that nothing will happen. The ability to change the pace and tempo is also about in-game management."
Klopp also addressed the horrible defensive failings that everyone knew would be the undoing of any title bid, despite the free-scoring nature of the team. You can't win the title without a good defence and the ability to win narrowly and protect leads. It's ridiculous that we had to score three or four to win.
But after first getting in a reliable goalscorer who could get the 20 goals a season you need to win a title, then fixing the issue with the defence by signing Van Dijk and the quality keeper everyone craved, and THEN addressing the ability of the team to to be able to play at different tempos, close games out, slow things down, it does seem as if fixing one bit breaks another.
We look disjointed, almost clumsily slow in possession. Wasteful and tentative. The reduction in the high energy, high up pressing seems to have exposed flaws in the team and individuals.
Put simply, gengenpressing is about forcing mistakes high up the pitch and capitalising in a footballing blitzkrieg. It is a method that allows less technically skilled and clever players to overcome superior teams. It's classic underdog CRASH BANG WALLOP football. And it worked against the best sides. But as discussed, it isn't sustainable for a whole season. And is countered by clever coaches or teams that don't want to play.
So yeah, I know why Klopp has changed things up. I said we had to years ago. But the problem is that he doesn't have the players to do it. When the game is slowed, you need bravery and confidence. Errors are exposed. You make less chances and have less opportunity to break at speed. And some of our players don't like that extra time. They become sloppy and nervous. Robbo, TAA, Milner and Henderson struggle when given time.
And the attack are blunted. Mane panics when he is given options. Firmino's flicks don't work when there isn't players flying past him at 100 mph. Salah is crowded out as the defenders have time to regroup.
Perhaps we aren't good enough to play any other way. Klopp knows that, and wanted a reshaped midfield with a new DM, CM and AM to help transition styles - or allow us to use more than one. But he didn't get that AM. Keita has been disappointing. Fabinho isn't trusted.
So it's the same team. And sooner or later, these results are going to start collapsing. When we play City or Chlesea we NEED to go at them. Playing City at their own game isn't going to get us three points - they're better at it.
We're asking Napalm Death to play The Goldberg Variations. Until we get more composers into the side, let's play a bit more death metal.
Many of us have commented that the frenetic, high-intensity style associated with Klopp has changed this season, and Klopp's admitted that this is by design:
"With the number of games we have, it's not about chasing a game always like crazy, you have to be smart. We try to be that without killing our nature."
It's nice that Klopp has finally caught up with what some of the more tactically astute observers have been saying for a while now. Indeed, two years ago, I said this in a brilliant thread "The Eye Of The Storm":
"The sturm und drang of Liverpool yesterday was intoxicating, it isn't sustainable. We need to find a way, to be brave enough, to do ......nothing. To have periods of the game in which we agree that nothing will happen. The ability to change the pace and tempo is also about in-game management."
Klopp also addressed the horrible defensive failings that everyone knew would be the undoing of any title bid, despite the free-scoring nature of the team. You can't win the title without a good defence and the ability to win narrowly and protect leads. It's ridiculous that we had to score three or four to win.
But after first getting in a reliable goalscorer who could get the 20 goals a season you need to win a title, then fixing the issue with the defence by signing Van Dijk and the quality keeper everyone craved, and THEN addressing the ability of the team to to be able to play at different tempos, close games out, slow things down, it does seem as if fixing one bit breaks another.
We look disjointed, almost clumsily slow in possession. Wasteful and tentative. The reduction in the high energy, high up pressing seems to have exposed flaws in the team and individuals.
Put simply, gengenpressing is about forcing mistakes high up the pitch and capitalising in a footballing blitzkrieg. It is a method that allows less technically skilled and clever players to overcome superior teams. It's classic underdog CRASH BANG WALLOP football. And it worked against the best sides. But as discussed, it isn't sustainable for a whole season. And is countered by clever coaches or teams that don't want to play.
So yeah, I know why Klopp has changed things up. I said we had to years ago. But the problem is that he doesn't have the players to do it. When the game is slowed, you need bravery and confidence. Errors are exposed. You make less chances and have less opportunity to break at speed. And some of our players don't like that extra time. They become sloppy and nervous. Robbo, TAA, Milner and Henderson struggle when given time.
And the attack are blunted. Mane panics when he is given options. Firmino's flicks don't work when there isn't players flying past him at 100 mph. Salah is crowded out as the defenders have time to regroup.
Perhaps we aren't good enough to play any other way. Klopp knows that, and wanted a reshaped midfield with a new DM, CM and AM to help transition styles - or allow us to use more than one. But he didn't get that AM. Keita has been disappointing. Fabinho isn't trusted.
So it's the same team. And sooner or later, these results are going to start collapsing. When we play City or Chlesea we NEED to go at them. Playing City at their own game isn't going to get us three points - they're better at it.
We're asking Napalm Death to play The Goldberg Variations. Until we get more composers into the side, let's play a bit more death metal.
