New Season, Same Liverpool
Whelp, it's already happened, the first big disappointment for Liverpool fans this season. On Saturday Reds' fans were treated to a frustrating 2-0 loss to a newly promoted Burnley side, which evoked painful memories from equally pathetic performances of past seasons. Despite controlling nearly 80% of the possession, Liverpool never really looked threatening or composed in the final third. Phillipe Coutinho, fresh off of his 2-goal and man of the match performance against Arsenal, looked bewildered by a stingy Burnley defense and consistently settled for long distance shots that sailed into the stands. The Reds were without an injured Sadio Mane, who's motor and non-stop attacking mentality were clearly missed. Mane wreaked havoc on the inexperienced Gunner's back line and will continue to be an invaluable cog in the Liverpool attack this season, but given the offensive options at Jurgen Klopp's disposal, his absence should not have been so glaring. You would think that a front line of Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, and Daniel Sturridge would be competent enough to muster up at least one goal, regardless of the opposition. One player should not be the difference between a four goal performance at Arsenal and a shut out loss at Burnley if this team wants to finish in the top 4 and challenge for the league title this year.
What was even more troubling than leaving three important points at Burnley, was how many of the issues that hurt Liverpool last year appear to be unresolved. Liverpool's back line was the biggest question mark heading into this season. Last year they were inconsistent at best and although barely challenged in the Burnley game, just 20% possession and 3 shots, they still managed to concede 2 goals. Poor passing out of the back directly led to Burnley's first goal in just the second minute of the game and Lovren and Klavan looked like their legs were made of wood in one of the poorest defensive displays I've ever witnessed at any level when Andre Gray torched them on the counter to extend the home side's lead to 2-0 in the 37th minute. Literally, the only positive for the Reds' defense in this match was that they didn't concede any goals off set pieces - Burnley had 1 corner the entire game.
What's so concerning, and painful, is Liverpool's week to week inconsistency. Their performance at the Emirates, just one week ago, made them the talk of the league. Fans and pundits alike gushed at the Reds' attack as many began to ask themselves, could this be "the year?" However, the week 1 euphoria was quickly dashed by Liverpool's uninspired defeat this weekend. For whatever reason, Liverpool continues to play to their competition. Whether it's drubbing a nearly full strength Barcelona squad or pouring in 4 goals against Arsenal to getting blanked against relegation caliber teams, the Reds are slaves to the level of their opponents. Liverpool's disappointing 8th place finish last season was due in large part to their inability to take 3 points from lower level clubs. Excuses were made about how Liverpool's Europa League campaign stretched the team thin and that fatigue was to blame for many of their poor performances, but now who is to blame? There are no continental distractions and we're still in August so tired legs certainly aren't at fault.
The Premier League is the deepest league in the world from top to bottom and there aren't any gimmick games. Score lines rarely exceed a 2-3 goal margin and on any given match day anything can happen. That said, in order to separate yourself from the group and have a chance at a top 4 spot in May, it is critical to earn 3 points in games you should win and few you shouldn't. For a club like Liverpool, who's goal is always to win the league, matches against recently promoted sides like Burnley absolutely qualify as 'must wins,' even more so than a match against Manchester United. No one was expecting the Reds to run the table and become the 2016-17 reincarnate 'Invincibles' but there are certain games on the schedule that have to be capitalized on - and Liverpool bungled this opportunity. Hopefully Jurgen Klopp can use this result as a learning experience and the team can grow and use this embarrassment as motivation going forward.
