Jurgen Klopp Liverpool
Liverpool’s manager highlighted the challenges and solutions for transforming the team into genuine Premier League contenders. He noted Manchester City’s dominant away record as a critical factor distinguishing them from Liverpool in the previous season. Liverpool excelled at Anfield in the 2023/24 season with an impressive 48 points, surpassing all other teams in the top flight. Conversely, their away form lagged, with Manchester City securing 44 points away from home, 10 more than Liverpool’s 34 points from 19 away matches. This disparity contributed to City’s nine-point advantage by season’s end, demonstrating how away matches can significantly influence title ambitions.
[Jurgen Klopp] said “Just to be very dominant in away games that is why I wasn’t very happy with the first 20 minutes at Wolves. I think the home and away games of Liverpool are quite similar but in general, it is tougher to play away because the home fans cheer very hard if their team gets a chance, they get more confidence from that. You play against the same players (as you do at home) but they get more confidence from the fans which makes it a bit more difficult to win an away game.”
Though Liverpool’s away match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park proved challenging, they secured a 1-0 victory. Despite an early lead from Diogo Jota and dominating possession, they faced pressure in the second half. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker made critical saves before exiting due to a hamstring injury. This win ensured Liverpool entered the October international break atop the Premier League table with a perfect away record. The team achieved victories at Ipswich Town, Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Crystal Palace, alongside a Champions League win against AC Milan. This remarkable start marks the Dutch manager as the first in Liverpool history to win his first five away matches. Moreover, he joins the ranks of only four Premier League managers to accomplish such a feat after Luiz Felipe Scolari, John Gregory, and Bobby Gould. Liverpool’s improved away performance, conceding just two goals in five matches, positions them well to challenge reigning champions like Manchester City. Another positive result on October 27 would bolster the team’s confidence and readiness for a demanding winter schedule. Notably, the last time Liverpool won their opening four away league matches in a season was 2019-20, a campaign that concluded with them lifting the title. While it’s uncertain if they will replicate this success, their strong start is promising.
