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Why Liverpool Can Progress In The Champions League Despite The Slow Start

Why Liverpool Can Progress In The Champions League Despite The Slow Start

There is a growing sense of frustration among Liverpool fans with regard to their performances in the Champions League. Despite having dominated throughout their opening match, Liverpool had to settle for a solitary point during their 2-2 draw against Sevilla. Interestingly, the Spaniards only had two shots on target to Liverpool’s seven, both if which ended as goals.

Following that, the pressure was immense on Liverpool as they faced Spartak Moscow. Again, the Reds looked like a much stronger side on paper – and even put up a solid performance – but they simply could not secure a victory. Liverpool ended up dropping points once more, as they settled for a 1-1 draw against Spartak Moscow.

It does sound frustrating, but a slow start in Europe should be something Liverpool fans have gotten used to. For example, back in 2007, it took a final game victory for the Reds to advance in the competition having started the group with back-to-back draws against Porto, Besiktas and Marseille. In fact, Liverpool’s start to the competition was so poor then, that after match-day three it looked like an almost impossible task for them to make it beyond the group stages.

In the end, the Reds managed to string a fine run of games together, recording their highest Champions League victory by beating Besiktas 8-0 at Anfield followed by a convincing win at home to Porto. Finally, a win over Marseille in France in the final game allowed them to advance to the next stage.

Alberto Moreno (Left) and Philippe Coutinho (right)

Right now, the team could also look to improve leaps and bounds, instead of simply relying on former glory. Slow starts may not be new to Liverpool, but they can’t always rely on last-minute efforts to rescue them.

As far as this team goes, the defence is in absolute shambles. Besides Joel Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold, none of the other defenders are even trying to do well – and while it does highlight why Klopp was so desperate for Van Dijk, it also goes to show how the manager is seemingly unable to extract the best from his current crop of players.

The attack is quite sharp, but now with Sadio Mane out, things could be different. Philippe Coutinho did wonders for the club in the same position last season, so he should be looking to muster that energy, if Klopp deploys him to fill Mane’s void.

It is certainly not a disastrous situation for Liverpool yet. They have the potential and the necessary players to do a lot better even in the absence of a key player like Mane. Having said that, there is still a long way to go. Despite Klopp’s team having a disappointing start to this season’s Champions League, it’s far too early to start panicking about advancing from the group stages.