Jurgen Klopp will be exuding a calm and collected manner as his title-hunting Liverpool side go in search of the Premier League silverware that has eluded then for 30 years. Although he has an excitable personality, he knows keeping a lid on it will help his stars as they prepare to create history.
The German head coach at Anfield knows his players are on the cusp of landing the top-flight title but will no doubt be trying to keep his stars’ feet on the ground — not literally you understand — as they prepare to make a comeback to the game after the long suspension caused by the coronavirus crisis. The Covid-19 pandemic put on hold the mighty Reds’ march to the crown with the table-toppers a staggering 25 points ahead of rivals Manchester City, who sit in second place.
Klopp’s men will be the new champions if they beat Merseyside rivals Everton in their comeback match on Sunday at Goodison Park IF Pepe Guardiola’s City side lose to Arsenal in the first match since lockdown on Wednesday night. And with the Reds having to change in temporary quarters in the car park of the Toffees ground, it could well pass that they end up celebrating the triumph in, well, a car park! Time will tell.
One player keen to get the job done and enjoy the sweet taste of success is Trent Alexander-Arnold — and he is aiming to break his own assist record when the 2019-20 term restarts. And the lightning-quick right-back has recently drawn huge praise from former Samba ace Cafu, who has twice won the World Cup with Brazil. And the South American says he expects more to come from Alexander-Arnold, while confessing that he loves to watch him play and particularly enjoys the marauding way he takes the game to his opponents.
In an interview with FIFA.com, he said:
“He really is a sensational player, a rare talent indeed. And I have to say that if he keeps playing the way he has been he will be regarded as one of the best players in the world. He’s technically brilliant, he has so much quality. He has a Brazilian style of play. I love watching him play. And playing in such a great team will help him grow.”
Meanwhile, Everton will be acutely aware that it seems that the Reds have lost none of their power as they prepare for the comeback. In their most recent warm-up match, Klopp’s men walloped Championship side Blackburn Rovers 6-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly match.
Sadio Mane, Naby Keita and Takumi Minamino were on target for Liverpool in the first half, with another three goals confirming the convincing win came after the break thanks to efforts from Joel Matip, Ki-Jana Hoever and Leighton Clarkson. Everton, much like the rest of the Premier League, beware…
