Problems Jurgen Klopp has to solve in his Liverpool team

• Liverpool have not won any match since they began their 2022-23 Premier League campaign. The Reds lost 2-1 to Manchester United on Monday night at Old Trafford. 
• Liverpool fans are now full of anxiety and uncertainty about the direction in which their team is heading. 
• Jurgen Klopp has several problems that he must solve at Liverpool as soon as possible to have a fruitful 2022-23 season. 

Jurgen Klopp has a big task ahead of him at Liverpool this season. The Premier League giants are yet to win a match since the start of this season. 

Liverpool sold Sadio to Bayern Munich this summer transfer window. They then brought in Darwin Nunez, who is still struggling to fit into the team. However, Sadio Mane’s absence is not the main cause of alarm at Anfield Stadium.

The 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford was a wake-up call to Jurgen Klopp and his team. There are several problems that the German manager must fix so as to have a fruitful 2022-23 season.

Liverpool lost 2-1 to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Photo/ Sporting Excitement.

1. Control mini-eruptions in the team

Liverpool players have been blaming each other for mistakes since the start of the 2022-23 Premier League season. In the first match between Liverpool and Fulham, there was an exchange of words between Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson. 

Jurgen Klopp and Alisson Becker also had mini-eruptions during the 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage. There were also squabbles during the match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace on matchday two. However, the focus remained on Darwin Nunez, who was sent off for headbutting a Crystal Palace defender during the match. 

Virgil van Dijk and James Milner also exchanged words at Old Trafford during the 2-1 loss to the Red Devils. It is a good idea to confront your teammate so as to demand the best from him. However, it’s difficult for a team to win if the players exchange words every match in front of the fans.

The mini-eruptions at Liverpool are among the problems Jurgen Klopp should solve as soon as possible. 

2. Complacency of Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold has proved to be one of the best fullbacks in the world due to his attacking ability. However, the England international has been criticized for his poor defending several times. 

Surprisingly, Trent Alexander-Arnold does not seem affected after making a mistake that nearly costs his team. Trent has been on the wrong end several times since the start of the season. 

Aleksander Mitrovic nearly scored after intercepting Trent’s casual pass during the match between Liverpool and Fulham. Trent was also partly to blame for the first goal Manchester United scored against Liverpool on Monday night at Old Trafford.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Elanga battle it out at Old Trafford. Photo/ Buzz.ie.

Trent sometimes has the tendency to relax even after noticing he has made a mistake. Worse is that the 23-year-old Liverpool right-back tends to remain unaffected by his poor defending, which leads to his team conceding.

3. Virgil van Dijk’s partner at the back

Virgil van Dijk is undoubtedly one of the best centre-backs of his generation. The Liverpool centre-back has the ability to frighten attackers with his body and defending skills. 

However, Virgil van Dijk has not been solid this season as we expect him to be. One of the reasons Virgil could be showing a dip in standards is playing with different partners at the back. 

Van Dijk played alongside Joe Matip at the back in Liverpool’s first match of the season. He played alongside Nat Phillips in the second match and recently played with Joe Gomez against Manchester United. 

Jurgen Klopp should make a choice on who will play alongside van Dijk at the back this season. 

4. Buy a midfield this summer

Liverpool have struggled since the start of the 2022-23 Premier League season due to midfield woes. The Reds’ key midfield players, Naby Keita, Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, are on injuries.

Dean Henderson and James Milner have not been solid enough. Liverpool’s midfield does not have the best choices at the moment. The best way Jurgen Klopp can solve the problem at his midfield is by buying a midfielder before the transfer window closes. 

Klopp waiting for his top midfielders to recover from injuries could cost the team more points this summer.