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Liverpool: 5 Reasons why Jurgen Klopp’s men are struggling in 2017

By Craig Pearson

DERBY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Jurgen Klopp manager / head coach of Liverpool before the EFL Cup Third Round match between Derby County and Liverpool at iPro Stadium on September 20, 2016 in Derby, England. (Photo by James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images)
DERBY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Jurgen Klopp manager / head coach of Liverpool before the EFL Cup Third Round match between Derby County and Liverpool at iPro Stadium on September 20, 2016 in Derby, England. (Photo by James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images) /
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool stands dejected after the EFL Cup semi-final first leg match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary’s Stadium on January 11, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool stands dejected after the EFL Cup semi-final first leg match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary’s Stadium on January 11, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

2. Less pressing

One of the signature aspects of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool this season has been the team’s pressing. Pressing is nothing new. Team’s all over the world press. But a Klopp team’s press is suffocating. Very, very suffocating.

Well, it was. Not so much now. Why is that? Are the players tired? The club are not in Europe this season, so it seems unlikely they would be tired. However, the intensity that Klopp demands is unnaturally high.

And, as we have established, without a deep squad, it’s pretty much the same players doing that aggressive pressing work every game in the league. Not to mention behind closed doors at training, too. It’s wear and tear and especially over a busy Christmas and New Year period.

Related Story: Premier League: Top 3 January transfers so far

Also, the attack is what makes the press so successful. Earlier in the season, the attack of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane was an incredible unit to kick-start the press. That unit has been broken up as of late.

Without the front unit pressing so aggressively in unison, it opens up the rest of the team and makes them more vulnerable. Pressing is a chain reaction and when a few links are missing, the chain becomes weaker. Other links get exposed.

Which brings us to number 3…

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