Liverpool have had little time to reflect on their dominant but ultimately frustrating goalless draw with Manchester United before turning their attentions back to the Champions League and a trip to Slovenia to face NK Maribor.
With more than 60 per cent of the possession during the Anfield clash and providing five shots on target to United’s one, Jurgen Klopp’s side can claim a moral victory over their rivals but, in reality, it was job done for Jose Mourinho who was intent on preserving the distance between himself and Klopp in the table while maintaining United’s unbeaten record.
For Liverpool, the result marked an extension of the club’s poor run since the end of August – in eight matches since the superb 4-0 victory over Arsenal, the Reds have won just once and conceded an alarming 15 goals.
Klopp’s side have played two Champions League group matches in that period and, as both ended in a draw, the pressure is on Liverpool to secure three points at Maribor and stamp their authority on a favourable group.
DEFENCE
Liverpool have been guilty of conceding far too many goals this season and the team’s defensive vulnerabilities have been well documented and analysed by pundits including club legend Jamie Carragher.
Klopp has appeared increasingly frustrated by both his side’s ability at the back and the media’s obsession with exposing its flaws and he hit back last month by claiming he could ‘write a book’ on defending.
The Reds at least head to Central Europe having kept a clean sheet against United, although it was secured predominantly due to Mourinho’s lack of ambition rather than any sign of tactical improvement.
Still, Klopp is unlikely to change his back-line from the weekend with Alberto Moreno, Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and, in particular, England U21 star Joe Gomez, impressing when called upon.
Jurgen Klopp confirms Loris Karius selection
‘Yes, Loris will start. If nothing happens from here on the way to Maribor, then Loris will start!’
MIDFIELD
Klopp may be tempted to hand Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a start as he attempts to adjust to his new surroundings at Anfield after leaving Arsenal in the summer, but the 24-year-old has done little to justify such an opportunity.
The England international is yet to start a league fixture and Klopp said before the United clash that he still needed time to adapt to Liverpool’s style of football.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was a bright spark from the bench against United, troubling the admittedly tiring Matteo Darmian down the right-wing, but another cameo from the bench is expected at Maribor’s Ljudski vrt stadium.
Philippe Coutinho and Mohamed Salah were both taken off towards the end of the United fixture and Klopp will be wary of the influential duo’s general fitness after their exploits with Brazil and Egypt during the international break.
Ideally, Klopp would be in a position to rest a couple of key players ahead of another important Premier League clash next weekend – they travel to Wembley to face Tottenham on Sunday – but Liverpool cannot afford to drop any more points and must be wary of Maribor, who are unbeaten in their domestic league.
Klopp on whether he will rotate his squad
‘We will see about rotation. I don’t think it is necessary, but maybe one, two, three or four changes [will be made]. We will see.’
ATTACK
Like Oxlade-Chamberlain, Daniel Sturridge will be desperate to receive a chance having only started three league games so far this season.
The injury-prone England international has looked a shadow of the player who scored 24 goals in 33 games in his first season at Anfield and would be fortunate to lead the line against Maribor, although Klopp may be tempted to drop Roberto Firmino to the bench ahead of another grueling schedule.
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