π΄ EOTK INSIDER π΄: Liverpool can match 94-year-old record, Jamie Carragher has the last laugh... and more! βοΈ
Liverpool have emerged from the international break a different beast... time will tell whether it's one well-equipped to go the distance domestically as well as in Europe βοΈ
Prior to the resumption of international football, you got the sense that perhaps another poor result or two and the general feeling would be that Liverpool were out for the count as far as the title race is concerned.
Two consecutive wins later following the return of domestic action and youβve got pundits finding it difficult to look past Jurgen Kloppβs men for the Champions League crown this term.
Itβs not hard to see why, as maximum points accrued (15) thus far from five games in the so-called βgroup of deathβ is no mean feat.
The brilliance of Liverpoolβs efforts in Europe are particularly well-summed up by the fact that the combined totals of their Group B opponents (14) still falls short of the tally amassed by the Merseysiders.
[Jurgen Klopp watches on as his Liverpool side secure their fifth win in the Champions League group stages]
'Dominanceβ would be putting things mildly.
Should the Reds manage to score two or more goals once more against Southampton at the weekend too, theyβll go a step beyond Wolvesβ record and enter into territory not covered in 94 years since Sunderlandβs 17-game streak in 1927.
Scoring lots and lots of goals isnβt the be and end all when it comes to a successful, trophy-laden campaign, of course - just ask Brendan Rodgersβ 2013/14 Liverpool outfit!
Nonetheless, if youβre in the conversation for the biggest honour in club football before the knockout stages have arrived, one has to likewise imagine that it would be ill-advised to dismiss you domestically.
As things stand, four points behind league leaders Chelsea before a heavy run of festive fixtures, the English top-flight is far from being wrapped up.
That does mean, however, that over the course of the remainder of the season, weβll need to be ruthless and not throw away points to the likes of Brentford and Brighton (regardless of how impressive the pair have been).
[Alisson Becker finds himself beaten by Enock Mwepuβs superb long-range effort during the Merseysidersβ 2-2 draw at home to Brighton]
Certainly, Liverpool are more than capable of producing consistently, though the demands of the winter fixture list has also proved to be too draining at times for a squad not quite as plumped up as the likes of Manchester Cityβs and Chelseaβs.
Thatβs a fault (if one can classify it as such) of the manager as much as the finances at our disposal, with Klopp not one to favour having three or four different options for each position.
Squad unity and building that tight-knit feeling within a slightly smaller grouping of players is considered far more important to the 54-year-old.
Being the first Liverpool boss to secure a league title for 30 years, youβd be hard-pressed to argue against that logic.
Letβs hope that we can keep the good times rolling with another win at home to help stack back up the collapsed blocks of our home unbeaten streak and establish ourselves as genuine title contenders once more.
In the meantime, there have been some fantastic bits and bobs that have popped up throughout the week, including a cracking exclusive on the Premier Leagueβs new TV deal.
#Ep23 of The Red Nets Podcast: Tyler Mortonβs Champions League debut, why Klopp canβt seem to win with his midfieldβ¦ and more!
Over the course of the past few seasons, Liverpoolβs midfield has attracted criticism for a perceived lack of contributions as far as goals and assists are concerned. This term, weβre not solid enough in midfield. Injuries have played a part, of course, but it seems the very thing Jurgen Kloppβs selection of players in the middle of the park were criticised for previously is something weβve hugely missed at times of late.
Exclusive: Finance expertβs update on Premier Leagueβs US TV deal will worry fans when it comes to Liverpoolβs next summer window
The impact of the pandemic was said to have played a somewhat limiting role on Liverpoolβs transfer plans, with the club forced to offload its deadwood to apparently pay back the fee that covered Ibrahima Konateβs switch to Merseyside. Many reckon weβre still short a central midfielder and an attacker, and we could be forced to wait a while yet for either.
And last but not leastβ¦
Jamie Carragher has his co-host in bits after a well-timed quip at Peter Schmeichelβs expense
Jamie Carragherβs quick wit can be a thing of beauty on occasion and the former Liverpool centre-half didnβt let us down with his well-timed remark on CBS Sports. Stay tuned for the former Manchester United No.1βs rather bizarre recommendation for the once vacant hotseat at Old Trafford.
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