Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, may not be ready to resurrect the “mentality monsters” tag just yet, but he’s been thoroughly impressed with how his team has navigated adversity early in the season. The recent 3-1 victory over LASK in the Europa League marked the fourth instance this season where Liverpool bounced back from falling behind, showcasing their resilience.
Despite early setbacks, Liverpool has yet to concede a goal after the 37th minute in matches this season. Strong second-half performances have been the hallmark of their comebacks against Bournemouth, Newcastle, Wolves, and now LASK. All of this has unfolded as Klopp introduced an entirely new midfield to the squad.
“I understand why you are asking me this,” Klopp responded when questioned about the return of the “mentality monsters” moniker. “It was not long ago I was being asked about us being 1-0 down, 1-0 down, 1-0 down. I understand that this may come up again sometime, but this feels completely different.”
Klopp explained that the phrase “mentality monsters” wasn’t something he planned; it emerged from his astonishment at how his team kept coming back in games. He emphasized that the current situation feels distinct and is more about creating a positive mood and spirit among the players.
“Mentality? That is something we will create. What we have now is a mood. This is a spirit we have created because the boys really like playing with each other. It is a close group,” Klopp remarked.
Liverpool’s ability to change the entire starting lineup against LASK, including key summer signings and revamped midfielders, while maintaining a high level of performance is a testament to the depth and quality of the squad. The presence of first-choice defenders Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, along with attacking talents like Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, showcased the team’s strength.
Furthermore, Klopp’s strategic substitutions, bringing in Dominik Szobozslai, World Cup-winner Alexis Mac Allister, and Mohamed Salah during the last half-hour of the match, helped secure the victory without late drama.
As Liverpool looks ahead to their Premier League clash with West Ham, they aim to extend their streak of five successive wins. Klopp’s ability to rotate the squad effectively, even without key players like Thiago Alcantara and Trent Alexander-Arnold, demonstrates the team’s depth and their readiness to face any challenge.
“I made 11 changes. I don’t know what you thought, but maybe some thought it was too much,” Klopp reflected on his lineup choices. “For a squad still without Thiago, no Trent, and no Conor Bradley, we can still change 11 times. If we have luck – and by luck I mean everyone stays healthy – and we have 23 players like this at this level, we can react in all the games we have, and we’ll always have a really good team on the pitch. I like that a lot.”
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