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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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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool reacts during the EFL Cup Semi-Final Second Leg match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on January 25, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool reacts during the EFL Cup Semi-Final Second Leg match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on January 25, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

5. Jurgen Klopp’s methods

Jurgen Klopp’s methods have seen him enjoy success in his career. But the German’s way also doesn’t go without flaws. Liverpool, it is said, are the best pressers of the ball in the Premier League. They run tirelessly and give every drop of energy that they have. Klopp demands it.

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But you can’t do that amount of work without it taking it’s toll. Otherwise everybody would do it. And, as discussed previously, Liverpool don’t have the squad to rotate. It really should be no surprise that Liverpool have faded.

Even Klopp’s last year in Dortmund rings a few small alarm bells. The Bundesliga is a top European league, but it is not known for being as competitive, top to bottom, as the Premier League. Even a down year should see the 2014-15 Dortmund squad at the very worst finish 6th.

Klopp had them in the bottom half somehow. It was like the wheels had come off. Sound familiar? Klopp also lost players during his time at the club. But he didn’t lose that many of his top guys. Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze being the headline names.

Klopp still had Marco Reus, Mats Humels and Ilkay Gundogan leading the way. Not to mention the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan – not quite the huge names they are now – at the club.

Next: Man United should forget about Antoine Griezmann

Surely it shouldn’t have ended as badly as it did? Then again, maybe it should. Maybe it’s just a coincidence. Or maybe Klopp’s methods have an expiry date. And amongst the crazy fixture list in England, and with a small squad at his disposal, that day has come sooner than expected.

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