Liverpool have lacked that steeliness since the Benitez era. Time and time again, leads have slipped, the defence has shaken, and points have been tossed away. Now we’re showing signs that we’ve rid ourselves of that vulnerability and it’s probably proving every bit as pleasing to Jurgen Klopp as it was when he watched Salah et al begin to click around this time last season. Yes, PSG managed to level it last night but they’ve got the most expensive front three in the history of football; three genuinely elite footballers, and even so, we had the balls and the ruthlessness to go and win it anyway.In addition to Liverpool’s new found grit, the summer signings have bedded in nicely: Naby Keita looks every bit the dynamic, box to box midfielder we’ve been crying out for; in Allison Becker (Leicester mistake aside), it looks like we’ve finally found a Pepe Reina replacement and Xherdan Shaqiri has added much needed depth in the attacking positions. Fabinho’s hardly kicked a competitive ball for us yet but there’s genuine excitement about his proper introduction, which will almost certainly come in the next few weeks after making a late cameo yesterday. Crucially, even with the new arrivals, this still looks and feels like a Jurgen Klopp side. The pressing and the movement off the ball is still there.
It isn’t just the new boys who are impressing either. In line with the side’s defensive improvements, Joe Gomez is showing signs that he may be starting to mature into the defender that we all hoped he’d become. The old adage about maturing like a fine wine might never have been more appropriate than it is with James Milner. And before that Spurs game, whilst many people were of the opinion that the Reds hadn’t thus far been quite as dazzling going forward as they were last year, the front three had seven goals between them already. Which they’ve obviously added to now.So it was crunch time then. On social media, the reaction to the cup draws and realisation of the newly compiled, heavily stacked fixture list ranged from downright fear to genuine excitement and admirable, cocksure arrogance.The next seven games, we felt, would go some way to show us how far we’ve came, how well we’ve bought and how close we are.The detrimental effect that numerous defeats could have on Liverpool’s ambitions in three different competitions, and the boost it could hand their rivals, some of whom could potentially dish out said humblings, meant that the consequences of this spell could have and could still, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves, prove enormous.We could have been sitting here needing a result against Southampton on Saturday to ensure we don’t make it three defeats on the bounce. That’s where Tottenham are at the minute and Mauricio Pochettino had to assure the press last night that his players “are not shit”. It’s not a nice place to be.But that’s not the case is it? We picked up a highly satisfying win at Wembley; the venue for one of last season’s most disappointing displays, and as far as last night goes; wow.
Not only did we pull it out the bag late, demonstrating that steeliness as mentioned earlier, we were the better side. Klopp said last night that three or four seasons ago, we’d have written that game off as nearly impossible to win. And he’s spot on.A few years ago, it seemed like Liverpool drew one of the best teams in Europe every year in the Champions League knockout stages. And every year, I’d expect us to go through. I’m delighted to say that I’m starting to get that feeling again about this side.So far so good then.The danger now is that we go and do something that’s previously been very typical Liverpool and lose to an obviously lesser side in a game that everyone expects us to win.I’m confident we’ll put three or four past Saints though with Salah reminding everyone what a world class player he is after getting some undeserved stick for giving the ball away in the build up to the equaliser yesterday.If that’s the case Liverpool are six in six, with a massive win against PSG under their belt, absolutely brimming with confidence approaching the remaining four games of what was a highly significant early season run in.
Do well, and why won’t we, and Liverpool could be top of the league, doing well in Europe and through to the next stage of the league cup after putting Chelsea in their place. The audacity of that lot winning their first five league games the same season we do it, by the way.If that’s how it pans out, even the most battle weary, cynical Reds may find it difficult to contain their excitement. The fact that we’ll only have played about two months of the season will only further prove the significance of the previous seven matches.Weirdly enough, the day after that City game, it’ll be three years to the day since Klopp was announced as Brendan Rodgers’ replacement. In the days that followed, he spoke of ending the league title drought and, more specifically, of winning trophies within four years.Whilst the conclusion of this period will neither make or break the loveable German’s reign here, in less than a month’s time we’ll know how likely he is to make good on those promises a year ahead of schedule.I, for one, am looking forward to it: the upcoming big four games of what was originally the big seven, and hopefully Klopp’s forthcoming first Liverpool trophy win. Up the Reds.Article by Matthew Davies @matty95daviesWant more LFC content? We have you covered! Start your FREE month trial for theredmentv.com now!
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