Liverpool have been on fire in their first full season under manager Jurgen Klopp. The German, who took over in October last year, has completely moulded the Liverpool team into his own image and it is showing on the football pitch. After having finished in a disappointing 8th place last year, the Merseysiders currently occupy the second place in the Premier League standings, 5 points behind leaders Chelsea after 20 matches.
Liverpool have done well in the EFL Cup, having reached the semi-finals and could very likely set up a final clash against bitter rivals Manchester United.
What has been the most pleasing aspect for the Reds is that they haven’t had to rely on a single person for goals. The goals are coming in from everywhere across the pitch with summer signing Sadio Mane being the top scorer with 8 goals. Adam Lallana is enjoying his best ever season whereas Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, until his injury, have been phenomenal too. James Milner has been excellent as a left-back and has chipped in with some crucial goals as well.
What does 2017 hold in store for Klopp’s men? The title is well within their reach, despite the 5-point lead Chelsea have built up. The Reds need to keep the pressure on and not let the gap widen and if the Blues slip up, they will have a shot at the trophy. The EFL Cup is also a likely avenue for Klopp, having already made to the last four, especially after having lost the League Cup final last term against Manchester City. He would definitely like to put that right. Things look bright and shiny as the new year dawns upon Liverpool as we take a look at 10 pictures that sum up Liverpool’s season so far:
10. An Explosive Start
Jurgen Klopp’s charges trumped Arsenal on the opening day of the season, beating them 4-3 in a pulsating encounter at the Emirates Stadium. After Theo Walcott had put the Gunners ahead, Coutinho grabbed a brace on either side of Adam Lallana’s strike to put Liverpool ahead, but it was new signing Sadio Mane that grabbed the headlines with a wonderful debut goal that proved to be the winner. Arsenal put up a fight late in the game with goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers but it was not enough as the Reds ran away with the 3 points.