The OFFICIAL Liverpool FC thread - RIP Diogo

[statto]

As a defending champion the previous time Liverpool also had their struggle under Klopp the following season. Remember this set of results?



After that run Liverpool won 8 drew 2 of their remaining 10 games to finish 3rd, any similar kick in them right now or will they put a bigger focus on the Champions League?

I can't see it.

That year, Klopp toyed with the use of Henderson and Fabinho in defence, which put themselves in unfamiliar positions where teamwork and coordination is key, but also robbed the team of their significant effectiveness in midfield.

Once he he happened upon making Phillips and Williams the centre pairing and played the strongest players in their positions in the rest of the team, things went back to normal for the run-in and they started winning again.

This time out, while there are significant injuries across the squad, they're not focussed on one position and cannot be blamed for the overall struggles and inconsistency of the team. It's a transition season, end of story. Unless Chelsea struggle, I can't see Liverpool suddenly transforming and getting the 30-odd points they'll need to guarantee top five.

I could see them getting to a CL semi perhaps, with the right draw, but I think they're done once they meet someone like Arsenal, Bayern or City.

Slot could learn from this and possibly give Ramsey a run at right back, rather than having to play the best player this season out of position.  His hand might have been forced due to Gomez, Szobo, Frimpong, Bradley being unavailable but will probably go with Jones there on Wednesday.