Liverpool sits fifth in the Premier League, 11 points adrift of leaders Chelsea. The two teams are the only two in the top six that did not embark on European adventures in the 2016/17 season. The two teams have also had six days or more to prepare for matches whereas Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur sometimes play three games in a week (Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday).
Because of the tight schedule of the other four clubs, Liverpool were charged as Chelsea’s main competitors or the premier league but as it stands, it looks like the team would be content with a top four finish.
Jurgen Klopp started on a similar note at Borussia Dortmund in 2008 by playing out three seasons before winning the Bundesliga twice in succession in 2010/11 and 2011/12.
After Klopp’s magical half-season where Liverpool made the Uefa Europa league final and lost to Sevilla in Basel, high hopes of silverware was expected this campaign but so far no finals have been made and the league is the only title up for grabs.
Liverpool’s season changed with Coutinho’s injury and Mane’s Afcon duties
Jurgen Klopp has managed to build a team around Philippe Coutinho who has been expertly supported by Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. But the injury to Coutinho forced Mane and Lallana to overburden their said instructions with creativity in the attacking third and assist Firmino with the scoring of goals.
Liverpool’s season turned around in a matter of days when the club had a chance of claiming silverware in the form of the English League Cup but were eliminated by Southampton at the semis. More misery followed after Wolverhampton Wanderers dumped the club out of the English FA cup. Sadio Mane AFCON presence meant his absence was felt at Anfield due to the team’s abysmal performances.
Liverpool and Klopp needs to get Daniel Sturridge back to his best
Daniel Sturridge at his best cannot be sidelined for Divock Origi or Giorginio Wijnaldum. His goal against Sevilla FC in the final showed his class is unmatched when he is on top of his game.
Against Southampton in the English league cup semi-final and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA cup, the Sturridge of old could not be found as he missed glorious opportunities to help advance the club to the next stage of the domestic cup competitions.
Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool’s season objectives turned in February and a Champions league qualification for now would be a great achievement for the club considering the coach’s experience in Europe.
