Liverpool’s recent slump has left them in a precarious position in the Premier League, with their hopes of a treble dashed and the pressure mounting on Jurgen Klopp’s farewell season. Former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison noted that the team is playing under stress, likely due to the weight of expectations and the desire to give Klopp a successful send-off. The announcement of Klopp’s departure in January seemed to have a galvanizing effect on the team, as they won the Carabao Cup and performed well in the Premier League. However, their recent defeats and struggles in front of goal have raised concerns.
In their Europa League quarter-final against Atalanta, Liverpool failed to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit, despite Mohamed Salah’s early penalty giving them hope. They lacked answers to Atalanta’s defensive plans and struggled to create opportunities. This inability to score from open play has been a recurring issue for Liverpool, with a goal drought of 360 minutes in all competitions. Former Liverpool midfielder Gary McAllister expressed concern over this dry spell, emphasizing that missed chances will ultimately come back to haunt them.
Liverpool now faces a crucial period in the Premier League, with matches against Fulham, Everton, and West Ham on the horizon. These games offer an opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Manchester City, who have a few games in hand. Klopp emphasized the need to focus solely on the league and throw themselves into the remaining fixtures. Captain Virgil van Dijk echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of maturity and togetherness in navigating through difficult moments.
However, the road ahead is far from easy. Opta gives Liverpool a 12% chance of winning the Premier League, while Gracenote’s Euro Club Index ranks their chances at 10%. McAllister stressed that Liverpool must treat each remaining game as a cup final and rally the entire squad. Hutchison expressed doubts about their ability to win against Fulham given their current form and missed opportunities.
Liverpool’s fate hangs in the balance, and they must find a way to overcome their recent struggles if they hope to secure another Premier League title for Klopp. The pressure is on, and they need every player to step up and seize the remaining chances. As McAllister said, there’s no time to dwell on past disappointments – Liverpool must approach each game with a flawless mentality and fight until the end.