As the rest of the Premier League looks for answers as to how to stop Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp is confident his side won’t be thwarted by other teams’ defensive tactics.
Klopp’s men have lost just once this season – incredibly, an early 2-0 defeat to Burnley – and have dispensed with both Arsenal and Chelsea away from home, while drawing with Manchester United and Tottenham.
Despite fears they could be exposed in defence – particularly at left-back, where James Milner has been filling in – Liverpool’s attack have more than made up for their other weaknesses.
Admittedly, they initially found Sunderland difficult to break down, before second-half goals from Divock Origi and Milner shot down any hopes the Black Cats had harboured of escaping Anfield with a point.
David Moyes should be given credit for setting his players up so effectively, but Klopp insists his team will not be stopped by ‘bus-parking’.
“I think there is no doubt this team is ready to play against parked buses. We have all the skills, but you need to be patient,” Klopp said, via Goal.
“If you score the first goal early, then we get the second, the third, the fourth. It opens the game but it is all about the timing of when you get the first and the longer you don’t, the most important thing is you don’t get frustrated because we need to get used to situations like this.
“Last year the games were different with a few teams played defensively against us. This time, because we are better, we have forced them into situations like this.”
Last weekend’s opponents Southampton were much better at keeping Liverpool at bay, holding them to a 0-0 draw. Now that Klopp is aware that teams are going to sit deep, however, there’s no reason why his own side can’t adapt, with or without injury doubt Philippe Coutinho.
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