The Premier League’s opening weekend served us up with a lot of action and drama. The dugout became the backstage and the managers, the directors. Grimacing and applauding the drama as it unfolds on a lush green stage in front of a crowd of billions. Conte and Klopp topped the charts in terms of enthusiasm and emotions portrayed. The Premier League turns into a soap opera and we, its unadulterated audience.
The first week was also a test as to how the teams fared. With all the new players the first week was all about testing the waters. Liverpool and Arsenal though defied the very previous statement.
From the first minute to the last minute the game was on full throttle. Arsenal, as we all know thrives on a fast-paced game, took the game to the opposition and after a failed penalty attempt by Walcott, he broke the deadlock within 69 seconds of the entire fiasco. Arsenal were ruthless on their approach and the Liverpool defence looked weak. The two centre backs comprising of Ragnar Klavan and Dejan Lovren looked shaky and they could barely breathe as waves of Arsenal attacks hit their shoreline. But just a minute before half-time Coutinho converted a free kick worthy of goal of the season.
With that, the entire game changed. Though on the closing stages Arsenal made a come back it was too little too late for the Gunners and Liverpool claimed the match 4-3.
Klopp will be happy with the inspired performance by the team but what would worry him more is the 3 goals they conceded. Klopp played a 4-3-3 formation with Roberto Firmino used as a false nine. The midfield trio of Lallana on the right with Henderson down the middle and Wijnaldum on the left look like a good idea on paper but in reality was not much of a success. Lallana and Wijnaldum are both attack minded players and they pushed forward which was their best asset going forward but the Henderson did not look promising as well. Even during their pre season game against Roma, Klopp played Can and Wijnaldum in midfield. Both of them being attack minded left a lot of room on the back which Strootman and Salah utilized to their optimum potential. With Joe Allen gone Lucas and James Miller looks like the other options but both of them are still not strong names. To battle for the title Klopp will need to buy at least another defensive midfielder who can shield the Liverpool defence and not leave acres of spaces behind for the opposition to exploit. A midfield destroyer type player will add the perfect balance to the squad. But with 2 weeks left for the transfer market to close it looks a little bit difficult for Klopp to make another signing. They also lack on their defence department and to challenge for the title Liverpool would need to add some experienced legs to their squad. Two more players and Liverpool would be all set for the season.
To battle for the title, Klopp will need to buy at least another defensive midfielder who can shield the Liverpool defence and not leave acres of spaces behind for the opposition to exploit. A defensive midfielder will add the perfect balance to the squad. But with 2 weeks left for the transfer market to close it looks a little bit difficult for Klopp to make another signing. They also lack on their defence department and to challenge for the title Liverpool would need to add some experienced legs to their squad. Two more players and Liverpool would be all set for the season.
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