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The more things change, the more they stay the same for Jurgen Klopp.
Once again, the Liverpool manager leads his team for the opening day of the Premier League season at Anfield, fresh off a huge success, against a newly promoted side.
With the lack of significant additions to his squad creating a backdrop of fan frustration, Klopp is approaching his fifth year at Anfield.
All of the above was certainly applicable 13 months ago when the then European champions entertained Norwich City to raise the curtain after adding free agent Adrian to the senior ranks.
And while the similarities may be striking, this time around, the world looks very different.
Liverpool are once again champions of England and begin their defense of a first league title since the 1990/91 campaign began with a 3-1 victory at Sheffield United.
And for now, Klopp and his players will continue to fight without the assistance of fans as the country navigates through the coronavirus pandemic.
The game with Sheffield United on October 24 was destined for the grand reopening of the Anfield gates, and 12,500 would be allowed to return to the ground.
However, new government rules and regulations this week mean those plans are sure to undergo a rethink following a surge in infection rates.
For now, Liverpool will continue to play their games to the soundtrack of the eerie silence of an empty Anfield.
It’s something that Saturday’s visiting coach Marcelo Bielsa believes can give his championship-winning Leeds a boost when action resumes at 5.30pm.
“We’re going to play at Anfield, but it’s only Anfield if it’s full,” said Bielsa, who makes the trip to L4 for the first time in his historic career.
The prospect of Bielsa going head-to-head on the sidelines with Klopp is delightful for anyone with a passing interest in soccer.
They are two of the most prominent and respected coaches in world football who go head-to-head on the touchline. Their interactions promise to be fascinating when the action escalates on the field.
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Bielsa is revered throughout the game, and even Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is known to worship at the Argentine manager’s altar.
The enigmatic 65-year-old will cover some layers of intrigue and intensity in this new Premier League season. A valuable addition to the self-proclaimed “best league in the world”.
And the idea of him clashing with Klopp in the technical area would have been worth the admission fee alone if Anfield had reopened in time.
Combative and combustible, both managers share similar traits between minutes zero and 90 on a referee’s clock. Television companies haven’t had to go to great lengths to build this one. Pure locker.
With Liverpool closing out the Premier League title just two games away from a June restart that was already 25 points clear, the visit from the Bielsa upstarts represents the Reds’ first truly meaningful and meaningful game in over six months. .
A refocusing of the collective mind could be in order and visitors will imagine their chances of ending Liverpool’s unbeaten record dating back to April 23, 2017 at home in the Premier League.
But while the eve of a new season typically means hope is everlasting for those in the red persuasion, preparation for the grand start to 2020/2021 has been remarkably subdued.
That the action continues behind closed doors is undoubtedly the root cause of such an impassive mood, but there is also little to spark the imagination of many fans given the lack of new faces.
For the second season in a row, the Reds will line up with the same players on the show and whether you agree or disagree with the cautious transfer strategy, that reason is part of what feels like a decidedly cool attitude toward the new. Bell.
Which team is “Same as last year, son,” as the great Bill Shankly used to say.
Familiarity doesn’t exactly breed contempt, but Liverpool fans know who the protagonists of this story are.
Of course, they’ll be cheering you on behind the TV screens on Saturday night, but it’s hard to remember such a low-key lead up to the start of the new year at Anfield.
That pervasive sense of indifference is even more bizarre when you consider that Liverpool are heading into this season as the undisputed best dogs in English football for the first time in three decades.
See the latest Blood Red podcast ahead of the new season HERE
However, one thing that Klopp and his players have shown is that they know how to win. With consecutive seasons of 97 and 99 points, the Reds have lost just four of their last 76 games in the top flight. Half of them came after the title was pocketed.
Ongoing recruiting rumors and financial investigations will continue until the window closes on October 5, but will be silent for 90 minutes when referee Michael Oliver blows his whistle.
The champions are at home and it promises to be an incredible journey once again.
Fasten your seatbelt.
* Do you play Fantasy Premier League? Do you stand behind yourself to use your chips in the right match weeks and catch your captain every time? Now is your chance to prove it and win some prizes in the process.
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