Thursday 15 September 2016

Mane, Firmino, Sturridge, Coutinho - are Liverpool's new fab four the Premier League's best?



The Reds are the highest-scoring Premier League side for 2016, with Jurgen Klopp spoilt for choice in attack. Is he constructing the most fearsome front line in England?
For 20 minutes at the start of the second half, Arsene Wenger's frown had shown more resolve at the Emirates Stadium than his Arsenal side, the Frenchman shaking his head every so often, before despairingly resting it on the palm of his hand. In those moments on the opening weekend of the season, when Liverpool's attacking blur was so dizzying and so destructive, the hosts and their manager were utterly helpless.
The Reds celebrated prematurely after Sadio Mane's solo stunner, their fourth of the afternoon - "opening the door" for Arsenal's fightback, as per Jurgen Klopp's assertion - but the Merseysiders held on for a 4-3 victory.
Fast forward two weeks and, at White Hart Lane, Mauricio Pochettino cut a relieved figure as an
authoritative first 45 minutes from Liverpool had only resulted in a 1-0 lead at the interval. Tottenham regrouped and secured a draw, with a second goal for the Reds disallowed, but it was hard to escape just how superior the visitors were for large swathes of the encounter; their forward line fluid and formidable.
Those two snapshots of Klopp's team's capabilities were followed by a high-definition picture at Anfield against Leicester. The defending champions were dismantled 4-1 in an attacking masterclass, with Kasper Schmeichel preventing a more embarrassing scoreline for the title winners.
Claudio Ranieri admitted that his side tried "everything possible" to thwart Liverpool in the shadow of the towering new Main Stand but that "they played so well. They were very spirited and everything they did was fantastic - we were expecting this kind of football from them".
But for the hapless 2-0 hiccup at Burnley - a blot that has besmirched an otherwise blistering start to the season - Klopp's charges have been commanding, most especially in attack.
Having hit a combined eight goals against the teams who finished first and second last season, while largely overpowering Spurs, who took third spot, Liverpool have illustrated the talent to toy with and tear apart opposition defences.
They are the highest-scoring Premier League outfit for 2016, recording a half-century of goals so far. They have also netted three-or-more in a game on eight occasions, which is another benchmark for the year.
Can they conjure up more brilliant chaos in the final third against Chelsea and consign Antonio Conte to his first defeat in charge of the Blues?
Klopp maintains that they will "stay greedy" and feels "quite confident we can do something there".
The encounter presents the German with an enviable selection poser; does he stick with Daniel Sturridge at Stamford Bridge or does he restore Philippe Coutinho to the starting line-up - the architect of his first big victory as Liverpool manager at the same venue? Alternatively, given the chemistry between the duo, does he opt for both, sacrificing someone else?
Klopp enjoys multifaceted options when constructing his matchday attack, with the trainer short of neither quality nor class.
In Sturridge, the manager possesses one of the most accomplished finishers in the league, whose intelligent movement allows those around him to exploit the areas out of which he has dragged his markers.
The lightning speed of Mane empowers Liverpool to fully engage their aggressive approach, the Senegal international being directly involved in five goals during his first four appearances for his new club. The 24-year-old's dribbling wizardry and appetite to harry then hurt the opposition is spellbinding.
Roberto Firmino's industry, meanwhile, combines wonderfully with his understanding and utilisation of space and time. His contributions are often underrated but completely necessary to Liverpool's attacking framework.
Coutinho, the club's Player of the Season two years running, can decorate, dominate and decide a game. Those four are fearsome enough but Klopp also has the young and gifted Divock Origi at disposal as well as the tireless Danny Ings.
Liverpool's firepower extends far beyond just the forward line, however.
Adam Lallana and Gini Wijnaldum are both skilled in making late runs into the box, providing brilliant support and supply. Jordan Henderson, whom Klopp believes can become an "international-class No.6", is intent on sparking forays forward early and is also well versed in breaking beyond. Marko Grujic, recruited from Red Star Belgrade for £5.1 million, has already displayed composure beyond his age in the area as well as a gluttony for goals. There is still Sheyi Ojo's goldust to sprinkle too.
Full-backs Nathaniel Clyne and James Milner are both creators, with centre-back Joel Matip willing to carry the ball forward and always looking for the positive pass.
Liverpool's attacking potency is collective and still only in its infancy. Klopp is convinced that, with time and a "common experience", his side will further switch it up a few gears.
They already rank top for chances created (64) and successful attacking-third passes (628) in the Premier League this season. Only Manchester City, with 11 goals thus far, have bettered the Reds' tally of nine - without tackling the three best teams of the previous campaign.

In fact, only Pep Guardiola's men have shown swagger and invention in the opposition box to rival Liverpool in England's top flight.

Is Klopp moulding the most devastating attack in the league? Liverpool have to offer more evidence, starting against Chelsea on Friday night.

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