The international break came at the right time for Jurgen Klopp, while Liverpool floundered to a 2-1 loss at home to new bogey team Crystal Palace, the performance was littered with tired players who just couldn’t cope with Palace.
Klopp will be happy that a few of his players are getting back to full fitness with the likes of James Milner, Jordon Ibe, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge close to making a comeback into the first team. Liverpool need to have a few of their players back as Klopp has to freshen things up if he wants to keep playing his Gegenpressing style of football.
Liverpool though return to action against Manchester City away from home, not the best way to get out of the international break which has seen a lot of drama over the past few days. Liverpool need to get some sort of run going if they are to get back into the UEFA Champions League, a target that is still achievable for Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds sit seven points off fourth-placed Manchester United and with 26 games to go; they still have a chance of making it into the top four. The other thing that Klopp would keep an eye out for is the Europa League. Liverpool sit second in their group and a win in their next game should all but seal their progress into the knockout round.
We look ahead to Liverpool’s next four Premier League fixtures and predict what the Reds can come out with.
Manchester City – Away
Taking on the Premier Leaders is never a good idea, taking on City after an international break might raise the hopes of an upset but truth be told, Liverpool are nowhere near the quality of play that Manchester City can produce. There will be another story within the battle as Raheem Sterling would be facing his old club and that in itself could lead to a few tasty challenges.
City though should have enough firepower to defeat Liverpool and they should have the likes of Silva and Aguero back in the team. That does not bode well for Liverpool and Klopp.