Ambitious approach could result in Liverpool spanking

Liverpool’s lack of punch in front of goal is causing Dave Tindall plenty of alarm in this week’s Red Letter, with the titanic Premier League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford next on the agenda.

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So, we go into an absolutely massive game at Old Trafford on the back of a combined zero goals in two limp performances against Plymouth and Southampton.

It’s not exactly been a great week.

In fact, perhaps the only consolation is that it wasn’t worse.

“I should have had four today,” said Nathan Redmond after scoring the only goal of the League Cup semi-final first leg tie at St Mary’s and ex-Red Jamie Redknapp was spot on when saying Liverpool would be “relieved” that the game only finished 1-0 in Southampton’s favour.

The positives? It’s a stretch to make that a plural but Loris Karius’ stock rose after a couple of fine saves and a good display with his feet. And what a relief to see Philippe Coutinho come off the bench and get some minutes.

Even in his half hour cameo, the little magician showed the sort of touch and movement that made us look a much more potent threat and hopefully he’ll be ready to have a big impact against Manchester United.

But I’ll admit it, I’m concerned.

At Southampton, we managed just two shots on target despite having 68% of possession and, in contrast to the usual zip provided by Sadio Mane, Daniel Sturridge appeared to be running in treacle.

Okay, he was up against one of the Premier League’s best defenders in Virgil van Dijk (surely we should consider putting in a bid for him now or in the summer) but there’s every chance Sturridge would be on the periphery again if Jurgen Klopp chose to play him at Old Trafford. After Wednesday night, I don’t think that will happen.

Mane could miss seven games if Senegal go all the way to the African Cup of Nations final and that’s a big worry as teams will be able to push further up the pitch, knowing we don’t have the pace to hurt them in behind.

The transfer window could possibly solve that but, for now, our most energetic forward who can pull and stretch teams is Divock Origi.

When he scored in five straight games in November/December, helping us to four wins and a draw, his value was obvious even though it appeared to come slightly at a cost, namely a dimming of Roberto Firmino’s powers. But Origi hasn’t found the net for a month and does Klopp really have enough faith to start the young Belgian in such a huge game?

All things considered, I expect the boss to revert to the tried and tested method in big away games of playing Firmino as a mobile number nine and flanking him with Coutinho and Lallana. Even that’s a compromises as Lallana has done his best work from midfield but it’s still a fluid front three who will press and hopefully put us on the front foot.

Klavan v Zlatan could be a huge problem

But there are some potential mismatches on the pitch that must concern any Liverpool fan.

How can Ragnar Klavan, at fault for Redmond’s winner, deal with the vibrant ground and aerial threat of Zlatan Ibrahimovic? And after an abysmal display against Southampton, I worry about Emre Can being part of a Liverpool midfield that has to deal with Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera.

Team news will be huge for Sunday’s showdown and I’ll breathe a sigh of relief if Joel Matip and Jordan Henderson are fit enough to return. The downside is that, even if Klopp throws them in, we could go into the game with Coutinho, Henderson and Matip short of match and actual fitness.

If we lose, United will be within two points of us which somehow doesn’t seem right. We’ve had an excellent season and they’ve only just got going after a prolonged stutter. But that’s the reality.

And, sorry to be on a downer, but a United victory plus wins for Spurs, Man City and Arsenal and suddenly we’d be fifth and outside the Champions League spots.

There has been so much to enjoy about this season but I have a nagging and growing feeling that we’re starting to lose sparkle as others are gaining theirs.

I was proud of the team when seeing those stats showing that we run further and put in more miles than any other side. Now I’m concerned that all that sprinting about is just making us knackered.

Coutinho & Mane absence has hit Liverpool hard

Being unable to field Coutinho and Mane on the same pitch since November 26 is another obvious reason for the drop off and surely it’s no coincidence that we’ve managed just five wins in 10 matches since the Brazilian limped off against Sunderland. Up to and including that victory over David Moyes’ men we’d won 12 of 16 games in all competitions.

Of course, there seemed an equal imbalance when United came to Anfield earlier in the season. We were flying and they were in the middle of a sticky patch. The dice were loaded in our favour but Mourinho went for the 0-0 and got one.

Trying to kill the game in the same way just isn’t Klopp’s style and he’s always gone about matches like this with ambition and positivity – as shown by the wins at Arsenal and Chelsea this season and Manchester City last. But are we in the sort of shape to to do that again or does such an approach risk us getting spanked?

One stat that should brighten the mood of Liverpool fans is that our boss has usually had the better of the Portuguese.

Klopp v Mourinho: how they match up

In the previous six Klopp v Mourinho showdowns, the German has won three, drawn two and lost just once. The defeat – a 2-0 Champions League semi-final, second leg loss at Real Madrid – didn’t actually matter overall as Borussia Dortmund had won the first match 4-1 and went to the final 4-3 on aggregate.

Klopp has always progressed to the final from the six semis he’s contested which is again a comforting thought for the return match with Southampton.

But if we want top four and a place at Wembley, Liverpool need to raise standards again.

We’re yet to win in three starts in 2017 and still to come this month is Sunday’s clash in Manchester, the second leg with Southampton on January 25th and an Anfield date with leaders Chelsea on the 31^st.

Liverpool need to make a big statement

A statement is needed. And what better way to make one than by beating Manchester United at Old Trafford.

I’m writing this just moments after the Southampton loss so hopefully my obvious negativity will have dissipated by then.

Right now, they appear to hold the aces and marginal decisions are going their way but this fixture has often failed to follow the obvious script down the years.

I just hope Klopp can find the right formula to put one over Mourinho even though the current momentum of the two sides strongly suggests otherwise.

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Dave Tindall

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