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Jurgen Klopp has rarely been one to hide his emotions. So the mention of this season’s intense schedule elicits a familiar response from the Liverpool manager.
“Life is more challenging than I’ve ever experienced before and with football it is no different,” Klopp said earlier this month.
“But it’s like Formula One. Anyone can drive a car, but it’s hard to do it at 300 mph in a fairly close area and then you expect your brakes to work.”
“That’s more or less what professional football is: everything at (the) highest speed, with the highest intensity. And for that, you must have the best brakes available.
Klopp was referring to the fact that the relentless nature of this season’s program means that there has been little respite from the high intensity games that are seeing increasing numbers of his players suffer injuries.
The season has been condensed by the late onset of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic that caused the previous term to be suspended for three months.
However, that could now work in Liverpool’s favor in light of their defensive nightmare.
With Joe Gomez joining Virgil van Dijk on the bench for a long period, the Reds will almost certainly move in in January to strengthen as a central defender.
They will play eight Premier League matches before then and will realistically have to negotiate the trip to Southampton, currently scheduled for January 2, before any new signings can be introduced.
That would be Liverpool’s 17th league game. By comparison, the same round last year was the Reds’ 20th, and that was after they had to postpone a Premier League game due to their successful participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.
It means that the Reds would still have 21 league games where they could use at least one additional central defense option, should they choose to move into the market.
That’s more than half a season, offering plenty of available points and possibilities for a concerted challenge with a stronger team. For example, Liverpool would still have Manchester United to play twice after the transfer window reopens.
Get all the latest updates on Joe Gomez’s injury after he underwent successful surgery on Thursday, plus the latest news and analysis for what’s next for the Reds.
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It’s easy to forget the table at this time of year, or indeed, at Christmas, it should look different. What was a good position in February may not be so instructive this time. After all, only in May there are fifteen points available.
Klopp will know that the period between now and the New Year could be one of the most difficult of his tenure at Anfield.
But even in January, there is a longer road than ever. Liverpool will dig until then.
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