So where has it gone wrong for Liverpool? I've heard so many different reasons behind their capitulation in the title race ranging from Jurgen Klopp saying the squad doesn't have nowhere near enough decision makers in the side to be able to pick teams apart to Martin Keown arguing that the Liverpool side is too emotional and that when they are knocked off their stride, they can't stop the freefall. I feel that the squad just isn't equipped enough to play "Heavy metal football" for a whole Premier league season. Klopp won his plaudits and trophies at Dortmund because of the style of football he could play, the fact it was constant and dynamic is what impressed us and attracts us to watch his side. The issue with his style is how demanding it is on his players. To be able to play a whole season under this style of football would be hard even with a squad full of depth, Liverpool don't have quality in depth.
Klopp insists that despite their schedule and the lack of Winter break, his side isn't tired. Sorry Jurgen, but I think you're telling a white lie. Watching the Swansea game back, they looked tired and worn down. It appeared as if Swansea's goals were all down to a lack of concentration, with no offence intended towards the Welsh side, Liverpool should have walked that game. They most likely would have if they had better depth, which is my biggest criticism of Liverpool this season, the players they have side haven't actually solved anything.
Mane and Matip have both been fantastic signings, Mane has probably been Liverpool's best player since Suarez and he runs the show when he plays. Matip has been strong in making sure Liverpool concede less of the simple set piece goals. However, I can't say that any of their other signings have done anything. Wijnaldum has looked poor in the midfield and hasn't been making the same decisions as he did at Newcastle and Karius looks worse than Mignolet ever did. Klavan has been solid in all fairness, but I still feel they lack that gritty midfielder who can sit back and run for 90 minutes giving you both attacking and defensive qualities. This sounds even worse when you remember they sold Joe Allen to Stoke after an impressive Euros for Wales.
I stayed away from saying Liverpool were capable of winning the league because to say such a bold statement early on in a season you have to look at a squad, not just the starting 11. Manchester United under Alex Ferguson always had depth. They had players who could come into a side and do a job for the team, whilst not impressively, it would be enough to get by with. Same could be said with Chelsea a couple years ago. Liverpool didn't appear to have that for me, and once Coutinho picked up an injury they began to struggle in my opinion. After Klopp said he wasn't interested in major signings in January, I was shocked, they need to find the players who will handle the ugly side of the game to spread across the midfield because Jordon Henderson, as good as he is, cannot handle it on his own for a whole season.
This isn't to say the "Heavy metal" branding of Klopp's football will never work for Liverpool, it took Klopp two whole seasons before he won the league, that was also the first season that Dortmund finished in the top 3 places under Klopp. It clearly takes a long time for Klopp's style to actually cement itself within a club, He has only had 15 months and I think everyone got a little bit excited. They've done incredibly well to improve as much as they have but I still believe they have at least another season before they can contest a title across a whole season. They won't bring in what they need this window so I can't see them managing to get back to where they were before, but If they can improve in the same way they did at the start of this season, they should be heading in the right direction.
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