Jurgen Klopp has really shown us it takes more than just money to build a world-class squad after their win against Leicester City.
Liverpool did what Liverpool does best when they hosted an in-form Leicester City on Sunday night. The Reds put in a flawless exhibition against Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes, beating them by 3-0 at Anfield.
They took themselves to second place in the Premier League league standings, equal on points with Spurs who leads the log and are only behind them on goal difference.
The Anfield win takes them to 64 games unbeaten at home, losing their last game there back in 2017 against a Crystal Palace that was under the charges of Sam Allardyce.
This has taken down a record set by the Reds back in 1981, 39 years ago. And the display was hailed by the Reds boss at the end of the game in his post-match interview.
Jurgen Klopp on his team’s performance in the Leicester City win:
"The game was really good. We had to play really good because otherwise you would have no chance and the boys did it from the first second. We controlled the game, we passed the right passes, moved in the right spaces, offered direction, used these offers.So, a lot of things were really, really good. We scored two goals after a set-piece but a lot of good football moments in a really, really good performance."
The manager was especially delighted with Diogo Jota‘s goal before the halftime break — doubling their lead 10 minutes after a Jonny Evans’ own goal.
"Especially this goal, he couldn’t have scored without an outstanding cross from Andy Robertson. What a situation in the whole build-up. All these passes and then I think it was Joel to Robbo.Albrighton tries everything to win the battle, the little challenge there and Robbo is really good first contact. Then a sensational cross, super move from Diogo. Yes, he’s a good player – that’s the reason why we signed him. (Via: liverpoolfc.com)"
Liverpool has a far better-assembled squad than Man City
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This win and how the season has gone in these early days for Liverpool FC prove they are in an elite bracket that must still be caught up with by many of the other big six, especially Manchester City.
Last season Man City lost two key players to long-term injuries in Leroy Sane, who has left for Bayern Munich, and Aymeric Laporte. The duo’s nonattendance over a prolonged spell cost them a chance at a third consecutive Premier League title, ultimately losing out to the Merseyside club by 18 points.
This has not been the case for the champions in their defending season despite a 7-2 loss by the hands of Aston Villa at Villa Park. Klopp’s assembled a side that is largely known for their monstrous mentality. What they are now getting noted for is their ability to help each other out and fill in for one another — in big games and not so big games.
Without their club captain Jordan Henderson, without their most expensive signing Virgil van Dijk, missing Alisson Becker for some games in the first part of the campaign. Not having Trent Alexander-Arnold, new signing Thiago Alcântara, and missing Joe Gomez was meant to see them fail at defending their honours but it has been far from the case.
Before the Leicester win, they were seven first-team players out of selection, including their top goalscorer for the season, Mohamed Salah. They’ve now lost Naby Keita for a second time this season after the player left the pitch early for what looks like a hamstring injury.
Liverpool’s starting backline of James Milner (RB), Joel Matip (CB), Fabinho (CB), and Andrew Robertson (LB) cost them a total of £47m. That’s £39m for the Brazilian when they signed him from AS Monaco and Robbo from Hull City for only £8m. Both Joel Matip and James Milner came as free agents to Anfield.
Man City spent big to almost no effect
Man City and Pep Guardiola has spent £368m in the last four years on defenders only and are now in the lower half of the EPL standings (13th place) with a game in hand, trying to catch Liverpool. A fully fit backline with an extra addition, which was their most expensive defender signing to date in Ruben Dias, has struggled to keep up with the demand in English top-flight football.
Scoring has also been a problem for the Cityzens this season. Last season after nine games played they already scored 29 goals. This season they’ve only managed to put 10 at the back of the net after playing eight. Sergio Aguero‘s absence has been a major factor in this problematic stat.
Even the team beaten on Sunday night by the Reds put Man City to the sword and beat them 5-2 at the Etihad. A big difference is shown in squad capabilities. This also not to say Man City’s bench looks weaker than Liverpool’s. On the contrary, over the weekend it looked better on paper.