Peter Anderson There is much debate and rancour in footballing circles about Liverpool's sudden loss of form.

Surely Klopp hasn't lost it already? Having not won the league since 1990 and watching their bitter rivals in Manchester United dominate in the Fergie years, Liverpool were jubilant at the success under their charismatic German manager. The brilliant German won the Champions League and, more importantly for the Scouse faithful, the Premier League during an amazing 2 season run. But that thrilling run came to a crashing halt this season as the Liverpool "problem" once again raised its head.

The problem in question is the lack of a competitive bench. This is something that I have noticed for years since the success of 1990. Throughout the lean years I have always taken a careful look at Liverpool's bench and identified it as the principal reason for Liverpool's lack of success. Liverpool dominate at Anfield due to their vociferous home support and home form is rarely a problem, but for decades in away games if they were trailing the bench never looked like it could provide the answer. This is obviously due to lack of investment by the management and that lack of investment has cost them dear.

If we look at the famous Champions League final victory over Milan in 2005 the unlikely victory looks even more miraculous when you look at the bench that night: ​Josemi, Nunez, Biscan, Smicer, Cisse and Hamann. Only Hamann was a serious hitter. Similarly, when they drew with Atletico in the 2008 Champions League game the bench was Cavalieri, Dossena, Benayoun, Degen, Leiva and Ngog. Not a big hitter to be seen. For decades Liverpool's benches were frighteningly weak compared to the benches at City, United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

That all seemed to be rectified when Klopp assembled his current squad. With his excellent trident up front of Salah, Firminio and Mané he needed a strong spine to support it, so the board got him Alisson, Van Dyke and Fabinho, which proved a master stroke. However, this season when they should have spent big again, they didn't. "Strengthen while you're on top" was not adhered to and the wheels inevitably fell off after losing Van Dyke for the season due to injury. 

Recently they faced my team, the resurgent Man City, and once again fielded a light bench consisting of Kabak. Tsmikas, Phillips, Origi, Shaquiri, Williams, the oft injured Ox and Milner. Not many options when you are being played off the pitch.

I have no doubt that Klopp's Liverpool will rise again next season. Having rectified the long-standing problem of underinvestment and weak squads only to be bitten by the problem again, I doubt the board will make the same mistake. Major investment this summer is inevitable. 

This has been a strange season with Covid and the empty stadiums, so maybe a good season to fail in. I look forward to the return of fans to the stadiums, and Klopp's Liverpool and Pep's City renewing their rivalry which has seen the probably best football in the Premier League's history.  

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports.

Bench Mark

Peter Anderson There is much debate and rancour in footballing circles about Liverpool's sudden loss of form.

Surely Klopp hasn't lost it already? Having not won the league since 1990 and watching their bitter rivals in Manchester United dominate in the Fergie years, Liverpool were jubilant at the success under their charismatic German manager. The brilliant German won the Champions League and, more importantly for the Scouse faithful, the Premier League during an amazing 2 season run. But that thrilling run came to a crashing halt this season as the Liverpool "problem" once again raised its head.

The problem in question is the lack of a competitive bench. This is something that I have noticed for years since the success of 1990. Throughout the lean years I have always taken a careful look at Liverpool's bench and identified it as the principal reason for Liverpool's lack of success. Liverpool dominate at Anfield due to their vociferous home support and home form is rarely a problem, but for decades in away games if they were trailing the bench never looked like it could provide the answer. This is obviously due to lack of investment by the management and that lack of investment has cost them dear.

If we look at the famous Champions League final victory over Milan in 2005 the unlikely victory looks even more miraculous when you look at the bench that night: ​Josemi, Nunez, Biscan, Smicer, Cisse and Hamann. Only Hamann was a serious hitter. Similarly, when they drew with Atletico in the 2008 Champions League game the bench was Cavalieri, Dossena, Benayoun, Degen, Leiva and Ngog. Not a big hitter to be seen. For decades Liverpool's benches were frighteningly weak compared to the benches at City, United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

That all seemed to be rectified when Klopp assembled his current squad. With his excellent trident up front of Salah, Firminio and Mané he needed a strong spine to support it, so the board got him Alisson, Van Dyke and Fabinho, which proved a master stroke. However, this season when they should have spent big again, they didn't. "Strengthen while you're on top" was not adhered to and the wheels inevitably fell off after losing Van Dyke for the season due to injury. 

Recently they faced my team, the resurgent Man City, and once again fielded a light bench consisting of Kabak. Tsmikas, Phillips, Origi, Shaquiri, Williams, the oft injured Ox and Milner. Not many options when you are being played off the pitch.

I have no doubt that Klopp's Liverpool will rise again next season. Having rectified the long-standing problem of underinvestment and weak squads only to be bitten by the problem again, I doubt the board will make the same mistake. Major investment this summer is inevitable. 

This has been a strange season with Covid and the empty stadiums, so maybe a good season to fail in. I look forward to the return of fans to the stadiums, and Klopp's Liverpool and Pep's City renewing their rivalry which has seen the probably best football in the Premier League's history.  

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports.

12 comments:

  1. Great to have you back Peter with a piece. I love your sports writing. Think you have gone to the heart of the problem. The league is City's and Liverpool will do well to get a top four slot. This reminds me of the 84-85 season where they struggled only to come good next time out with the double.

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  2. Thanks. Just about to get the dinner on then sit down and watch the Bin Dippers Derby lol. Expecting some howlers from Alisson and Pickford!

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  3. They are up against it already Peter - two minutes in and they concede. Then they lose Henderson. It keeps mounting. Still, good excuse for a couple of beers.

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  4. Fenway have lost a lot of dosh this season on the Red Sox and Lfc. Similar to Arsenal, Lfc's annual target is now fourth spot. There was no money for a cb purchase until a loan deal was arranged on Jan 31 for Kabak, & the cheap Ben Davies. Expect City to win 4 trophies this season.
    Hopefully, Lfc will clear out their injury prone squad. Going one down to Neverton in the first minute suggests a team that will be playing Thursday night football next season.
    No team has hit 90 points three seasons in a row. A strong bench needs big / smart investment & few injuries. Hopefully, Man City, Atletico, Psg will be avoided for as long as possible in the 🆑.
    My late dad got to see the Reds winning the two biggest trophies.For that, I will be eternally grateful. 🙏

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  5. Liverpool played no better than expected and Everton got the result they deserved. LFC were piss poor - no penetration. Thiago is making the type of pass Butch Wilkins was renowned for. Sad to watch but as Peter says they will come again.

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  6. Thiago offers nothing, a waste of £ 20 mill. Maybe Klopp has ran out of steam ; 5 yrs @ a club seems to be the max nowadays ( without limitless money). Stevie G to depart the Jock champs ? Europa spot for the Reds.

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    1. thus fair Thiago has failed to impress.
      I feel there is a lot left in Klopp. He has had a serious run of injuries but needs a quality bench which he does not have.

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    2. Can't see Gerrard leaving Ibrox for 2 or 3 years yet, he'll want to see where he gets his vision to. Then he'll be very successful at Anfield.

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  7. Getting rid of Klopp seems a bad enough idea but look at who he thinksshould replace him. Last time round Dalglish showed he simply did not have it in the modern era. Klopp will come good again.

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  8. Think this is inevitable but doubt there will be a change at the top. At Some Point, Microscope Will Be Put On Jurgen Klopp For Liverpool's Failings I can think of no one who could do it better.

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  9. It would be madness to replace Klopp. He will come good next season with some centre-halves. Tiago will also come good, not easy settling into a losing team. No need to panic, injury blighted season, finish it and move on.

    As City go marching on with Stones and Diaz looking like Vidic and Ferdinand!!!

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    1. Good, good, keep on forgetting about Chelsea....

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