5 things we’ve learned from Liverpool’s 5-game winning streak

Liverpool’s victory at home to Fulham tied two season-highs: a first run of seven unbeaten matches and a first run of five unbeaten matches.

Furthermore, he provided real reason for positivity and foresight following a systemic change in the Reds’ game.

Jurgen Klopp and his managers have changed tactics and personnel lately and little by little the improvements are visible as the Reds beat Leeds, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Tottenham and now Fulham.

We are now fifth, with four games to go and whilst we are not yet where we would like to be, there is much to be gained from the recent upswing in fortunes.

Luis Diaz is READY

What a difference a single player can make. It’s not like Luis Diaz is technically aware of his game, or totally unstoppable at dribbling. It is clear that after months of absence there is still a long way to go to achieve maximum sharpness.

Of course we would expect that.
But just having him back on the pitch and on screen shows so much of what’s too often been missing this season: true aggression. Real determination to win the ball back.

Acceleration and the ability to outrun an opponent. Diaz doesn’t have time for your defensive incompetence or lack of appetite for a challenge, and we’re here for that.

After weeks and months of lukewarm, tame and frankly embarrassing effort displayed by those in red, the contrast Diaz offers, even when not in full swing, is telling.

In just two starts and a few substitutions, between late October and early February, he probably won just as many tackles and carried the ball past more defenders than the midfield as a whole – and certainly with more intent and power.

The role of Trent has so many advantages…

The big change in Liverpool’s management, if not composition, is where Trent Alexander-Arnold positions himself deliberately and frequently.

On the ball, the Reds now have him alongside Fabinho in the middle of the park, which not only means his passing range can be seen in a more concentrated area of ​​the pitch, but he can also help forward in a number of ways . First, his powerful deep drives have already forced openings for his signature finishing passes or, sometimes more intriguing, his ability to shoot from distance.

Not many people on this team do that.

We can also see Trent tackling in midfield. He quickly accepts the challenge and adds strength in that area, where we can sometimes be lacking.

Add to him his combinations with Mo Salah, the switch to the left wingers and the fact that he has the license to move both in front of and behind Fabinho, to his left and to his right, and he’s a difficult man to pin down for the opponent.

There are many reasons to welcome this change in Trent’s role and there is room for improvement in the overall squad. … but also defensive concerns

On the other hand, we also see that when the Reds do not have the ball, it has an impact, especially in moments of transition.

There is still no absolutely single person responsible for stepping in at right-back when Trent played on the pitch, leaving a mish-mash of Ibou Konate, the occasional Jordan Henderson or even Salah running for counters. -attacks or direct bullets.

It’s not ideal. It costs chances at a rapid rate and we always seem vulnerable.

Konaté mostly did well when he was stopped, but then Andy Robertson struggled to become the defender at the far post, while Henderson was just plain bad at stopping his opponent in that area.

Then, of course, there’s the fact that Robbo takes up some of the formation’s attacking play when left at third centre-back, although Kostas Tsimikas appeared to be relieved of that role for the most part against Fulham.

Better attacking teams would have made this a costly decision.

We know the midfield changes will come in the summer, but even if the perfect players are found there is still the question of timing and space to work seriously on.

We can’t just force the issue if the disadvantages outweigh the advantages of what we are creating with this system.
The big steps and the misfits

Of course, Trent’s changed role isn’t the only one seeing subtle changes. We mentioned the left-back change, but up the pitch it’s also a bit of a change.

Liverpool’s left centre-back, who used to be our number 8 left, is now referred to by Klopp as number 10.

In reality, he is more of a left midfielder in a quartet, as played by Curtis Jones.

Jones was outstanding, a real star in the last few games, with good technical play combined with ball-winning and playing a specific tactical role well.

He connects seamlessly between the central areas and the flank, providing an overlap or allowing the nominal left winger – usually Diaz or Diogo Jota – to fly onto the pitch and become an additional centre-forward. Another player to note is Cody Gakpo. He’s had a stop-start time since he joined, partly because—well, let’s face it—we were trash.

But his movements and connections are much improved, he has scored a few goals (although all in the matches we’ve won – he still has to become that player to help you in the most difficult moments) and there are signs that he can combine with some more face familiar.

At the other end of the scale, Salah still looks a little too marginalized in this very broad starting point, Darwin Nunez looks good with team pace and speed and, as noted, Robertson struggled at times when he was the additional defender .

We don’t know if this form and approach will last forever or if it will be better suited to the end of the season.

But if it’s the first, some players still have some work to do to earn a regular spot in the future.
Liverpool can actually be optimistic about the future

And it’s only progressing. Each season brings its own set of challenges and objectives, and some of these will change throughout the campaign.

We would all have hoped we could compete for honors again, but 2022/23 was about something else: preparing Liverpool for the seasons to come. It should have started earlier, but now the team’s recovery needs to be bigger and faster.

And yet this year is not yet a total loss. There’s still a slim chance the fourth won’t be out of reach and despite poor form at the start of the season, Liverpool could end a nine-game winning streak.

That alone is exciting for what might come as we anticipate improvements.

Moreover, these expected improvements should make for an interesting and vibrant summer, with at least four arrivals – most likely more – and plenty of optimism about how Klopp will rebuild in the next term.

It’s not all over, but even when it’s over, there’s always another season, another challenge, another opportunity just around the corner.