Liverpool have struggled to overcome a specific group of rivals for the past two seasons and that now has to change
It was a problem Jurgen Klopp inherited but wasted no time in properly addressing. But now, as he prepares to hand over the Anfield reins, the issue has once again become a cause for concern.
The Reds’ indifferent record against their main rivals has been one of the nagging doubts throughout a campaign in which their Premier League title challenge fizzled out during the past month.
Many have traced the turning point back to the draw at Manchester United at the start of April when Klopp’s side dominated the hosts during a one-sided first half but ultimately needed a late Mohamed Salah penalty to snatch a 2-2 draw.
There had been a similar story earlier in the campaign at Anfield when a succession of missed opportunities allowed United to escape down the other end of the East Lancs Road with a barely-merited point from a goalless stalemate.
That United also eliminated Liverpool from the FA Cup in March in a similar confusing fashion with Klopp’s side having been by some distance the better team further exposed the issue. For whatever reasons, the Reds have too often not been able to put away their traditional top-six opponents.
Yes, there were notable victories at Arsenal in the FA Cup third round and, of course, Chelsea in the League Cup final. But in terms of Premier League matches, Liverpool’s win over Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday meant they have won only two of 10 games in the top flight this term against Manchester sides City and United and London trio Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham.
The Reds have taken just 12 points from those games to stand fourth in the mini-league of the six clubs this season. City can move on to 15 and ahead of Chelsea – who have 13 points – should they win at Tottenham next week. But Arsenal are the clear leaders, unbeaten in nine games and on 19 points with a trip to Old Trafford to come at the weekend.
Only once under Klopp have Liverpool taken fewer points from such matches when mustering a mere 10 in the 2017/18 campaign. They even managed more in 2015/16 under the German, despite him taking over with the campaign already underway. The Reds had been way off the pace in the previous three seasons before Klopp’s arrival, even when challenging for the title in 2013/14 under Brendan Rodgers.
The Reds finished top of the mini-league in 2016/17, as well as 2019/20 and, surprisingly, the following season. They were second in 2018/19 and three years later. Last season, though, they slipped to fourth having taken just 15 points, with their recent away record seeing only one away win in their last 11 Premier League trips to their traditional top-six rivals, the 2-1 triumph at Tottenham in November 2022.
Given that the league winners in seven of Klopp’s full seasons in charge have finished in the top two of that mini-league shows where Liverpool have ultimately fallen short this term.
Of course, Newcastle United and Aston Villa would argue the top six has become a top eight in the last two years. And, curiously, if points were restricted to just games between the current top eight, the Reds would be only a point behind leaders Arsenal.
But the shortcoming against top clubs is nevertheless glaringly apparent. Klopp solved that issue for much of his tenure – now the incoming Arne Slot must do the same again.