Kloppite by David Segar

Author:David Segar
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pitch Publishing
Published: 2017-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

20

‘I love this game because it is a team game. Trust, faith and togetherness.’

IT could not have been a harder start for Liverpool. The fixture computer had pitted them against the previous season’s top three of Arsenal, Tottenham and Leicester in their first four games, with the fifth game being a trip to Chelsea, who were being widely tipped to be back among the title challengers.

The first of their three early visits to London was to face Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season. Arsène Wenger’s men had pipped rivals Spurs to second place in 2015/16, but many were still doubting their ability to be genuine title challengers this time around. The Emirates Stadium was a ground where the Reds struggled in past seasons and it was the first time Klopp had taken his Liverpool side there, though he did have previous experience with Dortmund from the Champions League.

He named an attacking looking line-up, particularly notable for the fact that he put Roberto Firmino in the false-nine role. The first side of the season was Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Moreno, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Coutinho, Mané and Firmino.

Three new players started, but it was an older one who was centre of attention early on. Liverpool had struggled to get a foothold in the game, and Alberto Moreno was finding himself unable to contain Theo Walcott down the Arsenal right.

A sloppy attempt at a tackle from the Spaniard saw the referee point to the spot. Much to Moreno’s relief, Mignolet saved Walcott’s penalty, but moments later the ire of the away fans was again on Moreno as Walcott snuck in behind him to take aim again and this time give Arsenal the lead.

Klopp’s men had been poor and deserved to be a goal down, but eventually managed to stem the tide and get some more of the ball after the goal. With seconds to go before the break, they won a free kick.

It was a long way from goal but Coutinho fancied it, and in spite of the imposing figure of Petr Čech between the sticks, the Brazilian whipped the ball over the wall and right into the top corner to give Liverpool a sensational equaliser.

It was an ideal time to strike back as it caught Arsenal completely by surprise, which may explain their start to the second half.

Four minutes after the restart the visitors went on an attack that saw several players rush to the box. Wijnaldum picked the ball up on the left before lifting it towards the edge of the penalty area. Lallana ran on to it, took it wide and slotted his effort past Čech to put Liverpool in front.

The Reds had gone from being on the back foot to being confident enough to flood the opposition box. This increase in confidence was apparent again minutes later as a 19-pass move ended with Clyne fizzing the ball across the box and Coutinho putting in his second and Liverpool’s third.

Arsenal were on the ropes and like a punch-drunk boxer, looked helpless to stop this onslaught of relentless attacking.

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