Jurgen Klopp’s tactics have won him plenty of fans at the start of the season. Liverpool were rampant, led by the magnificent Sadio Mane, they tore teams to shreds.
A shock defeat at Burnley aside, they won at Arsenal, drew at Tottenham, beat champions Leicester at home and won at Chelsea.
It appeared the seeds had been planted to a season of domestic success at the Anfield club.
2016 was closed out with four straight wins over Middlesbrough, Everton, Stoke and Man City.
It has often been noted that Klopp’s success at Dortmund was aided by the ability to give his side a rest over Christmas as the Bundesliga closes for the annual 30 day period.
As 2017 came around, Liverpool’s form plummeted. Their only win in January was at lowly Plymouth Argyle in a cup replay.
Draws with Sunderland and Man Utd were followed by a home defeat to Swansea as well as elimination from both domestic cup competitions at the hands of Southampton and Wolves respectively.
Mane’s absence due to international duty in January clearly had an impact but Klopp’s side are not a one man team.
They turned a corner with a draw against Chelsea and then comprehensively out-played Tottenham on the 11th February.
Since they are not involved in European competition this year and are out of both cups, they won’t have another fixture until the 27th when they travel to struggling reigning champions Leicester.
Despite their poor January, the Reds are only three points off second place and well in the hunt for champions league qualification next season.
They play Arsenal, Man City and Everton soon.
Klopp has gotten his winter break – let’s see what he does with it.
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