Liverpool are flying high following their huge win over Manchester City. However, once the international break finishes, Liverpool face a hectic six weeks with potentially 13 (potentially 14) games to be played in four separate competitions between the 23rd November and the 2nd of January. Jurgen Klopp will have to maximise his whole squad with a busy finish to 2019.
Thirteen Games in Four Competitions for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp
Too Many?
Liverpool face an extremely tough end to the year with 13 games to come across four different competitions. The Premier League fixture list sees them take on Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion, Everton, Bournemouth, Watford, Leicester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United; a tough run of Premier League games to come for the runaway leaders, but Jurgen Klopp will equip his players ready for the challenge.
As well as Premier League commitments, the group stages of the Champions League conclude with two further matches to come for the Reds. They welcome Napoli to Anfield before concluding the group stages with a trip to Red Bull Salzburg. Liverpool are on the cusp of qualification, but Klopp will demand two wins to ensure the holders’ progression into the knockout phases.
Liverpool also face a Carabao Cup quarter-final away at Aston Villa. Klopp wants progression but has confirmed many who started the last cup win over Arsenal will most likely make the trip to the West Midlands.
There is Also the Small Matter of the Club World Cup
Jurgen Klopp also must balance a fourth competition in the Club World Cup. The competition begins the day after they face Aston Villa in the League Cup. Klopp has confirmed two separate teams will play in each competition. U23’s manager Neil Critchley is expected to take the team at Villa Park with Klopp in Qatar.
There could even be the potential of a 14th game should Liverpool get to the final of the Club World Cup. Klopp faces a difficult month of travelling and will be desperate to ensure his squad is ready.
Jurgen Klopp Will Have to Maximise His Squad
Liverpool’s busy month will certainly see Klopp use all players available to him. Thirteen games in the space of six weeks is shambolic and, quite rightly, Klopp is unhappy. However, he has complete belief in his players and he will expect their mentality and concentration to pull them through a hectic run of fixtures. Rotation will be key with so many matches to come and fatigue will be a factor. Klopp is a serial winner and he will drill that into his players with his team battling in four competitions.
Liverpool face a daunting end to 2019 but, Klopp and the fans will relish the chance to continue their excellent form in a hectic period of fixtures. Liverpool’s talented squad will need to come to the table and prove why they are proven winners, while their charismatic manager will rally his troops ready for action.
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