Farewells are looming and changes are beckoning, but Liverpool are emerging from their fog and their win against Leicester was another step forward on the road to Reds 2.0. Three aesthetically pleasing goals were plundered without reply at the King Power, three more points were gained, and our dislikable hosts were ushered closer to the Premier League exit door. It was another good day at the office for the improving and steadily healing Reds.
With just two games to go, the mission for Jurgen Klopp and his squad is to condition themselves to be able to hit the ground running for next season. While it would be wonderful if Newcastle or Man United fumbled a place in the top four, it’s the bigger picture that is more important than the short-term gain of obtaining a seventh successive season of Champions League football.
The post-match togetherness displayed by the players in red at the King Power was telling; suddenly, they are a danger to other teams once more, having spent much of this season as a lore unto themselves. This win, just like the six wins that preceded it, are all a part of the healing process and they are vital components in positioning Liverpool to go for it again next season, whether the Champions League forms part of their landscape or not.
Change is undeniably required, but Klopp isn’t at the helm of a squad that needs raising to the ground and rebuilding. This has been a run-in that has given clear signposts to where Liverpool can take themselves again, and they already have much at their disposal that will propel them toward these new goals.
A tweak of the role of Trent Alexander-Arnold here, trust placed in Curtis Jones there, the return from injury of Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, and the emotion engendered by the impending departure of Bobby Firmino; each element plays a part in the healing process.
This summer, midfielders will come and midfielders will go. James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita will depart, while Alexander-Arnold morphing into Xabi Alonso is a game-changer and takes so much pressure off that summer recruitment drive.
Foundations are being laid for Liverpool’s version 2.0. They must be primed and in top condition to take advantage of the landscape that might develop next season. These games represent the foundations for that. Next up are some emotional Anfield farewells, and the visit of Aston Villa on Saturday.