Merseyside giants Liverpool, haven’t stepped down on the gas since they kicked the first ball of the new Premier League season, and they quickly bounced back from their only defeat of the season – a shocking 2 – nil loss at the hands of Burnley away from home on matchday 2.
After 11 matchdays, the Jurgen Klopp-led army has put in 30 EPL goals at the back of net, and another 10 in 3 EFL Cup appearances. With 40 goals across all competitions, can 2016-17 be regarded as the season they finally break the jinx?
Since arriving at Anfield a little over a year ago, Klopp has gradually instilled a new playing system and mentality into his charges, and one can only imagine how devastating they would become as they get better and master the German’s philosophy to perfection.
The squad he met at Liverpool needed a little overhauling, and after the summer transfer window, only 6 players were added to the squad, while about the same number were discarded.
4 of the new additions – Karius, Matip, Wijnaldum and Mane have become a key part of the team’s starting lineup, and have combined well with the former players to great effects and results.
James Milner have been made a permanent makeshift left back, while Lovren and Clyne have continued in their respective positions, albeit as better versions of themselves compared to the previous seasons. The trio, alongside Matip and Karius have become the main cog of Liverpool’s rearguard.
While Liverpool’s current defence can’t be regarded as the best in the topflight, their midfield and attack will rival any top side in England and the world. The quartet of Lallana, Henderson, Can and Wijnaldum have being the mainstays in Klopp’s selection for his 3 midfield positions – with the latter 2 presently doing the battle for who best deserves a starting shirt.
40 – @LFC have scored 40 goals in 14 games so far this season; their best tally after 14 games in 121 years (48 in 1895-96). Rampant #lfc pic.twitter.com/Kde41uytJZ
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 10, 2016
Lallana has scored 3 goals and assisted 5, Henderson and Wijnaldum both have a goal and 2 assists apiece while Can has notched 2 strikes. With the midfield alone responsible for 7 goals and 9 assists, the quality exuded by this squad is proving to be parallel to none.
Upfront, the fearsome attacking trio of Mane, Firmino and Coutinho would pass for Liverpool’s best ever frontline of all time. The quality of these forwards has made Klopp discard the idea of playing with a recognized primary striker, with Firmino taking up the role of a false 9 and excelling in it.
Between them, 16 goals and 10 assists have been notched in the league, and with such level of ruthlessness in front of goal, one that has propelled them to the top of the league, bagging the top prize come May shouldn’t be ruled out.
Even the fringe players, who have played a majority of the English Football League Cup have been in excellent form, blowing Burton, Derby County, and Tottenham away to book a quarterfinal appointment with Championship side Leeds United.
With the swagger and class with which Liverpool are putting opponents to the swords and playing one of their finest footballs in recent times, one is tempted to conclude that the current crop of players the club boasts of is their best team ever in the Premier League era. Just maybe a double or EPL prize will cement their status as exactly that.