Liverpool started 2017 with so much optimism and the potential for two or even three trophies but they are now officially a club in crisis.
You do not want to have the sort of week that Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool just had. In the span of a week, the Reds went from the potential of playing for two domestic cup trophies to being eliminated from both the League Cup and the FA Cup.
The first blow was losing 2-0 on aggregate to Southampton, a club that has become somewhat of a feeder for Liverpool as they consistently buy the best Saints players, in the League Cup. The Saints were the better side over two legs and kept what is usually a potent Liverpool attack at bay.
Many supporters slate the League Cup (unless they win it) but it is still a piece of silverware that clubs celebrate and can point to as a sign of success in a season. There was no guarantee that the Reds would beat Manchester United in the League Cup Final but a date in Wembley is still better than losing to Southampton in the semifinal.
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The second blow came against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday as the Reds crashed out of the FA Cup yet again to Championship competition. There is no shame in losing to a top flight club but to lose to a club that is struggling in a lower division is a different matter altogether. The Reds’ leaky defense conceded two goals to Wolves, who site 18th in the Championship table, and could only a muster a desperate fight in the final 10 minutes of the match.
This week has been especially rough for the Reds but the entire month of January has been difficult as well. Since the turn of the New Year, they have won just one match and it was in a replay against League Two side Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup. Premier League stragglers found joy against Liverpool as Sunderland nicked a point at home and Swansea City took all three in a famous victory at Anfield.
So in the span of a month, the horizon has become bleak for Jurgen Klopp and his squad. They will now have to turn their focus from domestic cup glory to the hope that they will be able to finish in the top four and contend in the Champions League next season. They currently sit fourth but Manchester City and Manchester United are breathing down their necks. On the flipside they are only two points from second so it seems the race will go down to the wire.
The term “in crisis” is usually a product of overreactions but in this case it most certainly is not. Liverpool are missing one of their best players in Sadio Mane because of his duties with Senegal at the African Cup of Nations and are unable to deploy Cameroon international Joel Matip because of FIFA complications with his national team, but that does not excuse losses and draws to clubs they are decidedly better than.
Last season Jurgen Klopp expressed his annoyance with the condensed winter schedule of England which contrasts with his experience in Germany where clubs are given time off during the festive period. One would think however that he would learn from that experience and be more prepared this time around but his players look tired and out of ideas.
Next: The reasons behind Liverpool's struggles
Things get no easier as they prepare to face Chelsea FC on Tuesday at Anfield as the league leaders will hope to build on their eight point lead on second place. The Reds won 2-1 in September but much has changed in the months since that performance. A win against the Blues would right the ship to an extent but it would do little to wipe away the disappointment of a bitter January.