Three years is a long time, especially in football. Salah wasn’t a Liverpool player; Mignolet and Karius were fighting it out for the Goalkeeper spot while Van Djik was marshalling the lines for Southampton! And yet it has been three years since the fortress of Anfield has been breached when former player Benteke scored a brace to condemn Liverpool to defeat.
The unbeaten home run is neither the longest in the clubs’ history nor is it the longest in the premier league era, and yet it is an astounding feat for a club fighting on all fronts since that fateful day. A large part of the credit for this achievement goes to Jurgen Klopp who has assembled a squad comprising not only superstars but also mentally strong individuals who have gelled together like a family.
Transfers
The signings of Van Djik and Alisson Becker have played a huge role in maintaining this record with many teams unable to sniff the goal at Anfield. Mane and Salah who were bought in June 2016 and June 2017 respectively have established themselves as among the best forwards in Europe.
Liverpool have based their game on Klopp’s ‘gegenpressing’ and the players have taken it a notch higher. The defence is well organised. The midfielders and attackers keep pressing from the front. In case the opposing team is able to overwhelm everyone else, they still need to contend with the looming figure of Alisson Becker who has turned into a nemesis for goal scorers.
What went right
However while players, coaches, and supporters have all played a huge role, consistency has been the key behind this incredible record! Liverpool have been consistently able to play its key players, which have helped them gel well on the pitch and trust each other. Fabinho who was signed in 2018/19 couldn’t break into the team for a few months because of the high level of the playing XI. Apart from Keita who has faced numerous injury problems, Liverpool have been able to play their first-choice XI and the changes have been unforced and allowed a high level of tactical acumen. Injuries that disrupted Klopp’s reign in his early days have become old news now and the Reds are looking like a team who have the physical ability, mental strength and self-belief to defeat anyone.
To borrow from rivals Manchester United, this team never gives up until the last moment and it seems they will always score. Liverpool players have developed a stout defence and have managed to score even in the very last second due to the increased fitness, stamina and standards of the players.
Conclusion
Liverpool have come a long way since the reign of Roy Hodgson and Sir Kenny Daglish. The club possesses one of the most well-balanced sides in World Football and were on their way to win their first Premier League title and 19th League title before COVID-19 stopped the season. The next aim for the club should be to break their own club record and break the league record of Chelsea Football Club on their way to glory.
