Football

Mid-season World Cup root cause for Liverpool’s troubles

November 14, 2022 4:00 pm

The last five years have seen Manchester City and Liverpool battle it out for Premier League supremacy. Arsenal has entered this fray this season however, with Jurgen Klopp’s Reds struggling to give a decent account of themselves. 

As it stands, Liverpool are sixth on the points table, 17 points adrift of runaway league leaders Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s men have a commanding lead and can potentially end their league title drought this season. 

Virgil van Dijk

Klopp’s men have already lost four times this season, twice their tally for last campaign. They finished a paltry point behind City last time around and one is left to wonder what will be the gap at the culmination of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign. 

The Anfield faithful has been left to wonder what has gone wrong for them. They have earned some respite with four wins in succession across all competitions. Return to form has been appreciated but it still does not answer the lingering questions about them. 

World Cup’s timing influenced league form

If Virgil van Dijk is to be believed, it all boils down to the World Cup. Although the quadrennial competition is yet to start, the towering defender is the key reason for Liverpool’s struggles. 

Reflecting on the campaign, he shared that it has been ‘strange’ all around, not just in Merseyside. The Dutchman shared that given the placement of the world cup, it has been difficult to focus on their league competitions.

“I would say the last couple of months have been just strange. Everyone is trying to find consistency, not only us as a team and as a club, but if you look at other teams around it is just difficult. No one really can put a finger on it,” was quoted by Liverpool Echo.

“Obviously a big part of this is because there is going to be such a big break coming up and the World Cup and players getting injured, players not fully fit. It was strange, it was difficult for everyone, but I can only speak for us because I’m in the middle of it.”

Compared to yester years, Liverpool has a quite small contingent at the first winter World Cup. This break should allow the players to regain full fitness and get back into their groove when the competition restarts in earnest.

While Van Dijk and his fellow travelling Reds will have to get their regimen taken care of once they come back, the party staying behind has the opportunity to get back into their rhythm. As it stands, Naby Keita, Arthur Melo, Luis Diaz, Joel Matip and Diogo Jota all are out with injury issues and should be at optimal levels after the world football’s crowing moment.

Interestingly, Liverpool will be a stone’s throw away from the action in Dubai. Klopp has arranged a mid-season training camp for his players in the Emirati state. This will allow fans who did not make the trip to Qatar will be able to see the likes of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino in action.

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