It signalled the beginning of the end of Wenger's incredible spell as a top manager, as a winner of EPL titles. From that moment on, Arsenal went into terminal decline. From that moment on, Wenger decided to set up his team without a holding midfielder.
In 2003 Chelsea signed Claud Makelele from Real Madrid and something changed in the EPL. Makelele was the first in a revolution that continues to this day, where a "holding" midfielder sits in front of the centre backs to screen them from attackers running straight on to the defensive line. After initially adopting this idea, Wenger decided to ditch it in 2008 and sold Gilberto Silva.
At the time I thought he had made a mistake, but as he was a football genius and I'm not, I expected to be proved wrong. I wasn't. After Gilberto Silva left, Arsenal became flaky, vulnerable. Wet Tuesday nights at Stoke and Bolton became nailed on defeats. Pundit after pundit, questioned his mad decision and called for the signing of a holding midfielder. It never happened and after a long, slow decline, Wenger was sacked. It was one of those times when you think you know better than a manager, years of watching footy tell you that a decision is wrong and you are proved right. Sometimes they can't see the wood for the trees and the armchair supporter really does know best.
So, it is with Klopp this season. Klopp put together a fantastic team when he arrived at Liverpool. The creativity came from the best attacking three in EPL history of Salah, Firmino and Mané. The assists came from the full-backs who would push on high. The midfield was largely structural, to screen the defence from counter-attack when the full-backs pushed on and to pen the opposition in when Liverpool had the ball.
So, it is with Klopp this season. Klopp put together a fantastic team when he arrived at Liverpool. The creativity came from the best attacking three in EPL history of Salah, Firmino and Mané. The assists came from the full-backs who would push on high. The midfield was largely structural, to screen the defence from counter-attack when the full-backs pushed on and to pen the opposition in when Liverpool had the ball.
This has worked like a dream, until now. I, like many others, could see it coming. Trent Alexander-Arnold is great going forward but is too often exposed in defence. Teams are wise to this, and almost every game Liverpool concede from the right-back channel or at his back post. The midfield, too, is getting exposed. Milner and Henderson just don't have the legs anymore for EPL matches and Thiago is often injured. Fabinho backed up by some youngsters just won't cut it at this level.
I thought that this summer Klopp would reinvent his team, spend big on a midfielder or two and move TA-A into midfield or at least to wing-back. He didn't, but after Liverpool beat City in the Community Shield, I thought that Klopp knows better than me and there is another year in this old team. But the first three games of this season tell a different tale, especially the drubbing they took from Man U.
When Aguero, Fernandinho and David Silva got past it, Pep reinvented his team. I thought that this summer Klopp would do the same. However, replacing Mané with Nuñez, and buying Carvalho for the bench is not a reinvention. Maybe this is a temporary blip and Klopp will prove me wrong; my gut tells me he won't.
The team needs fresh legs and coordination. They got away with it last year - three finals and not a goal in any of them: has to say something - but are running on empty this time around. Nobody should be fooled by the win over Bournemouth. I think there is potential in midfield but Trent needs moved out of the right back. I think he is being played out of his natural position. Gomez might be better in that position. I also think they miss Matip and VVD is not as imperious as he once was.
ReplyDeleteJesus...you won 9 nil and you still love a moan! lol
DeleteOh I do hope its terminal decline, I really do, but I'm not naive enough to think it is. I still recall the scousers chanting to us, "division two is calling you, Man United, division two is calling you...." back in 1974, some of us have long memories, same applies to that other shower at Elland Road, also sang this song. Now, in their case have been down, shame their back, as they said about us in 1975 when United bounced back with a vengence.
ReplyDeleteLiverpool have not been tested in the second division, not since the very early sixties I think, fefinately the fifties. Will their support hold up like Uniteds did? Perhaps a little unfair as this generation of fans are not in the same league as back then. That applies to all clubs.
No, Liverpool will be thereabouts come May🤒
Caoimhin O'Muraile
That other shower at Elland Road had crowds of 30,000 during our dog days in the second and third tiers and took 4,000 to way matches. LUFC supporters talk the talk and walk the walk no matter what division we are in, Caoimhin.
DeleteTight arsed FSG won't give Klopp any dosh . Buying one ( 30 yr old ) midfielder in the last eight windows is pathetic . Barcodes away tomorrow & early k o V Everton on saturday will show what the injury ravaged ( lowest net spend in the summer window ) Reds are made of #Fourth@Best
ReplyDeletePeter Anderson comments
ReplyDeleteCaoimhin O'Muraile
I don't for one minute think it is terminal. I doubt Klopp suffers from the same hubris as Wenger. But like Pep created his City Mark II, so Klopp needs to create Liverpool Mark II. He wasted this summer and I think it could cost them dear.
Oneinamillion
FSG had enough cash for Diaz, Nuñez and Carvalho this year, plus what they got for Mané, but couldn't get a decent midfielder?
Barry, can't understand why Leeds are making so many problems for themselves so early in.
ReplyDeleteNottingham Forest have flattered to deceive - despite the spending they are starting to look like relegation zone material.
Gerrard got a lifeline but Rodgers could be in trouble if he does not turn things around.
Man Utd and Arsenal today - that should tell a story.