MY ACCOUNT
After a convincing Community Shield success over Manchester City, excitement levels were rising rapidly for Liverpool fans — then Fulham delivered the Reds a reality check.
Somewhat fortunate to escape West London with a 2-2 draw last Saturday, Jurgen Klopp’s side were nowhere near their best and need to pick themselves up quickly.
Ahead of their first Anfield outing of the campaign against Crystal Palace on Monday, we consider what the German boss needs to address.
Off the pace
What was perhaps most surprising about the Craven Cottage clash was the manner of Liverpool’s performance.
Expected to dominate against a newly-promoted opponent, Marco Silva’s hosts pressed them with discipline and intensity from minute one, forcing mistakes almost at will from the Reds backline.
Klopp admitted in his post-match news conference that he sensed his side were in for a tough afternoon early on.
He explained: “We started actually exactly the opposite way that we wanted. The first pass outside Robbo [Andy Robertson], Robbo passed the ball backwards, which was just a little sign.
“Nothing happened there, but we said we have to break lines and what we actually did, we played into their hands.”
Credit must go to Fulham, but Klopp will expect a far sharper passing display from his side against Patrick Vieira’s Eagles.
Midfield tweaks
Liverpool appeared to have done all their business early this summer with the arrivals of Fabio Carvalho and Darwin Nunez — but that stance may now need revisiting.
Even after those deals, there was a consensus among the club’s supporters that improvements were needed in the central midfield area.
With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita already sidelined, Klopp opted for the trio of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara against Fulham.
Yet five minutes into the second half, Thiago pulled up with a hamstring issue that will keep him sidelined for around six weeks.
James Milner, 36, will likely step in to deputise in the coming weeks and despite his remarkable longevity and professionalism, the ex-Aston Villa and Manchester City midfielder cannot be expected to provide a long-term solution.
Yet while it would not be all that surprising to see the Merseysiders enter the market, finding an in-house fix will have to suffice in the coming weeks.
Start Nunez
Although Roberto Firmino still retains Liverpool’s No9 jersey this season, a changing of the guard now feels closer than ever.
The popular Brazilian forward, 30, was withdrawn after an ineffective 50-minute stint and replaced by new man Darwin Nunez, who wasted little time in making a seismic impact.
First, the ex-Benfica forward was on hand to cleverly backheel Mohamed Salah’s cutback for his Premier League opener, before laying on a simple finish for the prolific Egyptian 16 minutes later.
Klopp has done his best to manage expectations of the athletic Uruguayan throughout pre-season but will surely struggle to resist throwing him in from the start against Palace.
A visible hunger to impress, imposing physical presence and some promising early link-up play with Salah have quite rightly left Reds supporters desperate for more — it is time he is properly unleashed.
Stay calm
Most crucially, Liverpool have not become a poorer team overnight and a lot of the negative reaction surrounding their opening performance is unwarranted.
Faced with a pumped-up opponent playing at full capacity in front of a raucous crowd, starting off at Fulham was a real banana skin and to still escape with a point is testament to the Reds’ determination levels.
They could even have won it in stoppage time when skipper Henderson’s 20-yard curler struck the crossbar, though that would have been very harsh on the hosts.
A favourable nine-day gap between outings means Klopp has ample time to iron out any kinks on the training ground — and also give his players chance to top up their energy levels.
High pressing has always been crucial to Liverpool’s fortunes under the German and some lethargy can be excused after an unusually short summer and challenging pre-season schedule.
Back on familiar ground under the Anfield lights, expect last season’s runners-up to remind everybody just how devastating they can be against Palace.
