There will be an overflow of sniggers, but Liverpool will not care. There will be a mountain of evidence to suggest the contrary, but that will not deter the Reds.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will open 2016-17 with only one conclusion in mind: success. Whether that entails winning a cup competition, clinching a Champions League spot or entering title contention is debatable, but what is not in question is the club will be determined to exert, as the manager put it, their “maximum” this campaign.
Drilled during an intensive pre-season, and bolstered with surgical rather than seismic new additions, Liverpool should be better equipped to implement the German’s ‘full-throttle’ approach. Last time out, they proved unplayable on their day, but that didn’t come around often enough.
The Anfield side demonstrated their mastery in the dismantling of both Manchester clubs, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal. But equally, they displayed meek performances at Newcastle, Watford and the second half of the Europa League final against Sevilla.
Inconsistency was the club’s nemesis in 2015-16, but that was largely owing to a congested fixture schedule, which led to fatigue and debilitating injuries. There was also the small matter of a managerial change after just eight Premier League games, with the final months of Brendan Rodgers’ reign soaked in toxicity.
With no European football to contend with this season and no chance of upheaval in the dugout given Klopp’s fresh six-year deal, Liverpool will be expected to produce their very best regularly, not least by themselves.
The contrast between now and August last year could not be greater. Back then, Rodgers, aware he’d lost the fanbase, lost his way. He shunned his expansive principles and adopted a risk-averse approach, which was always going to be unpopular. Moreover, it was unsuited to the majority of his squad, making the Northern Irishman’s sacking inevitable. Liverpool had forgotten who they were, what they were after, and how to attain it.
Now, they are in no doubt about what they need to do, and the process required to pull it off. Klopp has instilled a recognisable playing style at Anfield, a promise he made on his first day in charge, and every training session since July 2 has preached the fundamentals of his ‘fighting football.’ The methodology is so entrenched in the players, who have said the commands have become less of an order and more of a habit on the pitch.
There will be no safety-first plan from the Reds. They inherently believe that they can be dominant in a game - whether in possession or out of it - and will look to “conquer the ball, each f***ing time.” The club’s sessions at their camp in California focused heavily on two important aspects: speedy transitions on the counter, and patient build-up to oust the deep defensive line most of their opponents will use in the league.
That will form the basis of Liverpool’s blueprint, with the inspiration still left up to the players.
“What we’ve done is given the guys a foundation to have the freedom with their skills,” Klopp explained to
Goal in
an exclusive interview.
“We have no influence on their skills - a little on their potential, maybe. You take a player, who you know is good in many things, and you bring him from this level to an even higher level.
“I love this with the job, that you can work together and all become better.”
Improvement, individually and collectively, is non-negotiable for a Liverpool side that finished eighth in May. Klopp’s charges illustrated last season that despite having so many hinderances, they could still turn in some of the most striking displays of 2015-16, while also reaching two cup finals.
Bigger, better, bolder is now on the agenda.
“You need to give yourself the opportunity to surprise yourself by being the best you can be, and then doing anything you can imagine," the German has said. “Football is the perfect playground to show this.”
The manager has had his crash course in English football. A challenging pre-season, so often referenced as essential by Klopp, has been enjoyed. Seven new recruits have been added to the squad and with the exception of seasoned goalkeeper Alex Manninger, signed as cover, each provides an elevated level of competition for places in their respective positions. Several weaknesses have been rectified, with Sadio Mane adding much needed pace as one such example, and apart from being thin at full-back, there is sizeable depth for a domestic campaign. Klopp will also have the big bonus of extended time on the training field between fixtures.
In the most competitive of Premier League seasons, Liverpool know they need to be at their most aggressive. Both Manchester clubs have spent in excess of £100 million to fortify their squads and have acquired two managerial heavyweights, with Pep Guardiola looking to build a dynasty at City and Jose Mourinho determined to restore United as the country’s pre-eminent force. Chelsea, meanwhile, are expected to be taxing opponents under Antonio Conte, given his focus on organisation and efficiency. Arsenal, despite seasonally being written off, always find themselves in the top-four discussion, while Tottenham will want to better last season’s efforts. Defending champions Leicester won’t want to be discounted, West Ham’s plan is to push on and there’s always room for surprises in England’s top flight…
But Liverpool start the season with the possibility - however marginal - of
attaining something great, and a manager who has a history of turning opportunity into achievement. Make no mistake, they will begin the season looking at top spot, and thinking ‘why not?.’ You cannot succeed if you do not try, and the Reds will not be short of endeavour.
