Liverpool’s recent win at home against Fulham marked two records for the season: a first run of seven unbeaten games and a first run of five consecutive victories. This has given real reasons for positivity and forward-looking after a system change in the Reds’ play. Jurgen Klopp and his coaches have switched tactics and personnel of late, and improvements have been on show as the Reds have seen off Leeds, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Tottenham and Fulham. The team is now up to fifth place with four games left, although they are not yet where they want to be.
The difference a single player can make is evident in the return of Luis Diaz. He is not yet technically on top of his game or totally unstoppable in the dribble, but having him back on the pitch and on the screen shows what has been missing too often this season: aggression, determination to win back the ball, acceleration, and an ability to drive past an opponent. In just two starts and a few sub appearances, he has won as many challenges and carried the ball past more defenders than the entire midfield did between late October and early February.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has also been playing a different role, purposely and frequently positioning himself in the centre of the park alongside Fabinho. This gives him a more concentrated area of the field to show off his passing range and contribute going forward in different ways. His powerful drives from deep have forced openings for either his typical final passes or his ability to shoot from range, while he also adds bite in midfield areas with his quick tackling. However, this has had knock-on effects when the Reds are out of possession, particularly in transition moments, as there is no single person who has responsibility for filling in at right-back when Trent has been playmaking infield.
Curtis Jones has been excellent in his role as an in-from-out, left-sided midfielder in a quartet, dovetailing between central areas and the flank. Cody Gakpo’s movement and link play have also improved, although Mo Salah looks marginalised in his wide starting spot and Darwin Nunez looks off the pace and speed of the team.
Liverpool can look forward with cause for optimism as they look to set themselves up for the seasons beyond. There is still a small chance fourth place does not stray out of reach, and for all the woeful form earlier in the season, Liverpool could feasibly end it on a nine-match winning streak. This should make for an interesting and dynamic summer with at least four incomings, as Klopp undertakes the rebuild into next term.