Jürgen
Klopp's side isn't just full of world-class talent, but a collective work ethic
that is unparalleled. 64 points from 66 available. 91 from the last 93 on
offer, stretching back to last season. It would be easy to look at these
numbers and assume that it's been plain sailing for Liverpool as they coast
towards the Premier League title after 30 years of waiting. You can buy Premier
League Tickets from our website, around the world to enjoy its terrific
performances.
Except,
the reality is very different. Liverpool may have won 21 of their 22 league
fixtures this season, but barely any have been entirely straightforward or
stress-free in complexion.
Time
and time again, Liverpool have had to dig deep, navigate their way through
difficult periods in games, come back from behind, or cling on to narrow leads.
Rarely have they pulled away and been able to cruise towards the finishing line
by a comfortable margin.
Time
and time again, they've proven themselves to be masters at doing just enough to
overcome the specific task at hand. That was the case against Tottenham Hotspur
last weekend, and once again against Manchester United.
Liverpool stats
If
you combine the points tallies of both those sides, Liverpool is still only one
behind, and for large periods of both matches, that was borne out in the
pattern of the game. Red swarm after red swarm, relentless in their pursuit of the
next three points.
On
both occasions, the second goal proved elusive, with Tottenham and United both
gaining belief the longer they held on to Liverpool's coattails at only 1-0
down, until this time, Mohamed Salah put the final nail in the coffin right at
the death.
What
was abundantly clear against United, though – and throughout the entire
campaign, in truth – was that Jürgen Klopp has constructed a side which isn't
just of an elite level in terms of skill and tactical intelligence, but also in
fitness and collective endeavor.
This
Liverpool side can dazzle with the speed and technical quality of its football,
but they're also a collection of players who graft for each other to a level
virtually unparalleled by any other side.
That
was epitomized by the fact that Liverpool's front three of Sadio Mané, Mohamed
Salah and Roberto Firmino won 20 duels between them against United. By
comparison, United's three most advanced players – Andreas Pereira, Anthony
Martial, and Daniel James – won just six between them (less than Salah and
Firmino each managed by themselves).
Gini Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson
It
starts from the front, and permeates all the way through the side, with Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gini Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson winning 25 duels
between them, which was six more than United's four-man midfield put together. Liverpool wasn't perfect by any
means, nor have they been perfect throughout much of the campaign, despite the
fact their points tally up until now is just two shies of being flawless.
They
are, however, experts of imperfection. While there were aspects of their play
which was frustrating to watch at times against United (and Tottenham), in
terms of the final pass or the final shot, what never changed was their
absolute, total commitment to leaving every last drop of energy on the pitch
for the cause.
It's
not headless chicken running, but rather a carefully designed web of
coordinated movements that enables them to cut off passing lanes, block
counter-attacks and shut down space, as they manage their way through
potentially precarious situations and emerge safely on the other side.
This
Liverpool side is on track to break all kinds of records, not just because
they're some of the best footballers on the planet, but because they relish the
slog, willingly running themselves into the ground until their work is done.
Football fanatics can buy Liverpool
Football Tickets through our online ticketing-market.
Ticket4football.com is the most reliable source to book Liverpool FC Tickets.
No comments:
Post a Comment