Liverpool Football Club had a tough 2020/21 season, which saw several players suffer from injuries before the team was knocked out of the Champions League during the quarterfinals. There was a lot of upheaval among the team, with three centre-halves being replaced with mid-fielders and a number of VAR decisions going against them, so anyone could be forgiven for expecting them to have been in the doldrums in the run-up to the current season.

However, 2022 is already proving to be a more productive year and the team has started strong with a League Cup win against Chelsea. Despite there being plenty of chances, the reds held the blues to a 0-0 score through one of the tensest matches anyone had seen in a long time.

This has set the scene for the season, and they are contenders for a quadruple win if they maintain the kind of form seen against Chelsea. Those who are into Champions League betting will be keeping a close eye on their improving odds, as they are practically neck and neck with Manchester City.

The benefits of strong management

Since 2015, Jurgen Klopp has led Liverpool to some impressive wins against some of the toughest teams in the world, proving his worth several times over as he made difficult decisions that often paid off in spectacular fashion. Indeed, the match against Chelsea was a prime example as many pundits believed that he should have played Alisson Becker in goal, but he stuck to his decision to play Caoimhin Kelleher.

His faith was repaid as Kelleher was on incredible form throughout the match, saving a couple of point-blank shots, from Christian Pulisic and Romelu Lakaku and being on hand to foil other opportunities that might otherwise have given Chelsea an edge.

Not only that, but when the game went to penalties, he was responsible for landing the winning one, smashing it into the back of the Chelsea net with an assuredness that made the win all the sweeter for the reds. 

Klopp’s defensive line

Although commentators have occasionally criticised the nature of Liverpool’s defensive line, describing them as too aggressive to be effective, it is becoming apparent that this is a risk Klopp has often been right to take. The Chelsea match saw three Chelsea goals being disallowed for being offside and forcing them into a total of seven offside calls over the course of the match.

Klopp’s belief that the risks of playing this line-up were outweighed by the benefits seems to have paid off, and the fact that the team have faith in his ability to lead them has no doubt contributed to their ultimate success. In a match where both teams had plenty of attempts on the goal, Klopp’s confidence in his strategy may have made the difference that saw the team take home the trophy.

Having the right players on the team

While some of Klopp’s signings have been controversial, and some less than successful, when he does make the right move the club benefits hugely. Some of the players that Klopp has signed have proved their worth several times over, giving the team confidence in his insight and helping them to see the benefits of his decisions.

Sadio Mane has more than earned his spot on the team, scoring 111 goals in 253 matches by early 2022 and getting a name for being a well-respected and valued member of the team. Joel Matip has had similar success, contributing significantly to the team’s European Cup win in 2018/19 and earning the adoration of fans who cannot believe he came on a free transfer.

Georginio Wijnaldum cost Liverpool £23 million and was a hugely controversial choice of purchase when Klopp decided to bring him onto the team in 2016, but he more than proved his worth as the ideal midfielder for the team until he moved on in 2021. Similarly, Mohamed Salah’s move from Roma didn’t attract a huge amount of support back in 2017, but after scoring 153 goals during his 238 matches, Salah ended up being one of the most important signings of Klopp’s time at Liverpool. 

Although Jurgen Klopp has courted controversy during his years at Liverpool, he has also proved that his instinct is right often enough to earn the faith of the players. Even when the pundits have criticised his choices, his utter faith in his own methodology has paid off more often than not, giving him a credibility that has proved invaluable to his team.

With their win over Chelsea fresh in everyone’s minds, fans will be wondering if Liverpool can continue their success throughout the season and add to their trophy collection. However they fare, putting their faith in Klopp seems to be the best option for Liverpool if they want to maintain their current form.