Klopp will have a bit of a juggling act with potentially nine games in January
Nine.
That’s the number of games Liverpool could be playing in January this season, after ensuring an FA Cup third-round replay by drawing 2-2 against Exeter City.
For any squad that would be a test of their depth and quality, but especially in Liverpool’s case, where it seems whenever one player recovers from an injury, another one then takes his place on the treatment table.
Beyond emergency measures, it seems that January will be in fact a quiet month for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on the transfer front, probably because he’s that busy adjusting to the pace of a Premier League season, where the games keep coming across four major competitions.
It looks as if players will be judged per season by Klopp, with many fighting for their long-term futures. Yet they will be spared the axe in January, instead having another six months to save themselves.
Klopp still has only been in the Liverpool job since October, and probably feels he needs more time to properly assess the squad at his disposal before making significant changes. Hence why Simon Mignolet looks set to be handed a new contract (the Belgian still needs to become far more consistent and commanding to remain at Liverpool next season, but if sold he will have a higher value with a long-term deal).
Things do not get any easier this week for the Reds, with back-to-back fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester United.
The only silver lining is that both will be played at Anfield, and they will be open games as neither Arsene Wenger nor Louis Van Gaal’s sides will sit behind the ball (although United especially will remain well-organized and hard to beat, but not ten men defending their own 18 yard box).
Injuries to key players has left Liverpool’s squad threadbare
Liverpool’s home form has admittedly not been great this season, but what a time to rediscover their best play in games which will resemble more of their fantastic away victories against Chelsea and Manchester City than the struggles against West Brom or Crystal Palace.
Liverpool will in all likelihood have less possession than the Gunners, and so may be able to employ a more counter-attacking style of play that was so devastating at Stamford Bridge and the Etihad Stadium.
Moreover, when Manchester United come to town, Liverpool should always be up for a fight, as the fans certainly will be.
The Reds have plenty to prove against their bitter rivals, having lost three league fixtures straight to United, with their last win being the 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in the title-challenging 2013/14 season.
The 3-1 defeat in particular to Van Gaal’s men last September was galling and painful for Liverpool fans, as the team were devoid of anything, let alone spark or inspiration, Christian Benteke’s wonderful goal apart. It was one of Liverpool’s worst performances under Brendan Rodgers and probably accelerated his downfall, with strange decisions including playing Danny Ings and Roberto Firmino out wide.
Liverpool are without question a different proposition under Klopp, even if consistency remains lacking, but on their day they can beat anyone, and it’s time that once again applied to playing against Manchester United.
The biggest hiccup definitely concerns the injuries, which have been crippling Liverpool recently. Jordan Henderson, Jordon Ibe, Kolo Toure and James Milner should be fit for the Arsenal clash, while Mamadou Sakho is more doubtful, which could bring new loan signing Steven Caulker into contention.
After hitting brick walls over Borussia Dortmund’s Neven Subotic and FC Schalke’s Joel Matip (who may yet join in a pre-contract agreement), Klopp turned to Caulker, focusing especially on his heading ability, with Liverpool struggling at times in the air, and always vulnerable at set-pieces.
The arrival of QPR’s Steven Caulker on loan should help the Reds get through the month
The 24 year old struggled to stay in the Southampton team, having been loaned out to Ronald Koeman’s side for the season from Queens Park Rangers. His last start was Liverpool’s 6-1 victory over the Saints in the League Cup, and Caulker himself was ripped to shreds and performed poorly.
However, hopefully, now he is on the same side, he can put that behind him and focus on earning a potential permanent transfer to Anfield. He’ll certainly have some chances, given Liverpool’s defensive injury crisis, and if Caulker can show the form that made him such a prospect at Tottenham and Swansea City over his time at Cardiff City and QPR, then he may have a long-term future with Klopp.
Arsenal, given their form in the league, deserve to be favourites against Liverpool, but, even with Klopp’s difficulty at fielding a full starting line-up, the Reds can tear up the form book at Anfield this week and potentially set their season alight once more, akin to those brilliant away victories.
Liverpool fans have yet to experience any truly memorable victories at Anfield under Klopp. Beating Arsenal or Manchester United, or both, would lay that issue to rest.
