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Is it possible to remember a stronger squad in Liverpool in recent times than the one Jürgen Klopp had? If so, it must be hidden from memory. The German has taken Reds fans around the world on a journey from skeptics to believers, and there is no sign of stopping.
Whether it’s a high-pressure team like Wolves, a counter-attack team like Leicester, or a tiki-taka philosophy espoused by Manchester City, Liverpool seem to have all the answers to the questions posed by rivals. It is not something that happened overnight, but a process of building and developing a team capable of dealing with any obstacle.
When Klopp arrived, Liverpool had an unstable squad and it would take a lot of thought about who would be the first name on the team sheet. You could say that Jordan Henderson was a staple in the starting lineup, but he went back five years and wasn’t sure what the captain’s role really was in midfield. Back in the present, and under Klopp’s tutelage, Henderson has become one of Anfield’s most important players.
That is just one example. In reality, almost all the players that have been taken under Klopp’s leadership have improved. It is what makes him one of, if not the best coach in world football.
In Henderson’s case, he has formed a formidable partnership with Gini Wijnaldum and Fabinho in the middle of the park in recent seasons. Something that has been referred to as the ‘Brexit Midfield’ by sectors of followers on social networks. In previous campaigns, Klopp used this trio when the stakes were high or when facing a fellow title challenger. Now, however, things are different.
The arrival of Thiago Alcântara has added an additional ingredient available to Klopp in midfield, and one that will surely give them a significant advantage for next season. You just have to watch the 45-minute cameo against Chelsea to see what the Spaniard is all about: composure and style, something Liverpool certainly didn’t have before.
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Thiago would almost certainly be in most people’s first choice midfield if all the players were fit and available, but is that really the case? Not in the sense that the 29-year-old is not among the club’s top three midfielders, but rather that Liverpool already have a ‘first-choice’ midfield?
Against Arsenal, a midfield with Fabinho, Wijnaldum and Naby Keïta outplayed and outscored their Gunners counterparts, and that was without Thiago or Henderson available for selection. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another on the treatment table who would have been considered, if available. And if you look at the bench, Klopp had the experience of James Milner, as well as the exciting young talent Curtis Jones ready to make a good impression.
Eight midfielders capable of making a difference, but since Klopp tends to go with a 4-3-3 formation, only three can start. This is the dilemma the boss will face in the future, but it’s certainly better than a lack of options. All eight players deserve a starting spot in most games, and all bring their own individual skills to the table.
Teams across Europe can only envy Liverpool with their midfield options. Eight players who can make a difference, presenting Klopp with an embarrassment of riches. This is before even taking into account characters like Marko Grujić and Harry Wilson, while Takumi Minamino and Xherdan Shaqiri can swap their traditional forward positions for deeper roles if necessary.
Klopp will have a lot of tough decisions in the coming months. The downside to having many options is that unfortunately some will need to be skipped. It’s not the worst problem, but it will exist for the foreseeable future.
Certainly the Liverpool team is in a dream position, and one that puts them ahead of almost every club in England and the rest of Europe. A terrifying proposition for rivals, but exciting for Rojo’s team.
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