If Jurgen Klopp naturally did not want to say that Liverpool could win the quadruple, he was more than ready to discuss the first step, the last step.
It was Ibrahim Konate’s thunderbolt that put Liverpool on the road to a 3-2 victory in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City. The goal could have radiated raw power, but Klopp felt it was more about dexterity in his hands or head.
“The teams are so focused on Virgil,” the German said of his defense leader Van Dyke. This allows Konate to come out of nowhere and get the job done.
This almost sums up the Liverpool team at the moment. There is always someone ready to come in and step up.
This raises a potentially crucial moment for both the Premier League title and the unprecedented pursuit of the four major trophies. Now does Liverpool have the strongest depth in world football? It may come as a surprise, given that this should be one of City’s core qualities, but it felt like one of the more meaningful lessons of Saturday’s game.
While so many of Pep Guardiola’s second string have struggled, from poor Zack Steffen to the revealed Nathan Ake, so many of Liverpool’s alleged substitutes are indistinguishable in importance from their first XI.
Defense is probably the only area in the team where you can definitely say that they have a favorite four.
Further Klopp has so many options and potential variations. Take one of the stars of Saturday and the player who perhaps raised the game the most with his sense of self-expression. Luis Diaz was conditionally supposed to be an influential player and a medium-term successor to Sadio Mane.
Instead, he became almost unreleased. You notice when he’s not on the field, and you can’t take your eyes off him when he is.
Luis Diaz brought new energy to Liverpool after signing in January
(AFP via Getty Images)
This speaks to the intelligence of Liverpool’s planning. Now it’s not just about depth. They essentially solve problems before they become problems. Klopp will almost have a new front three before anyone even realizes he needs it, leaving aside the uncertainty surrounding Mohammed Salah. This is another indication of this strength, however, that they can withstand a sudden and drastic drop in the result of the Egyptian.
All dependence on Salah has disappeared. This is a real team.
It also offers a lesson for many of their rivals. You can at least challenge unlimited resources by thinking outside the box, trying to push the boundaries yourself. This remains a lesson from Klopp’s time. This season is undoubtedly a huge achievement, even if they only finish with the League Cup.
It is remarkable that if they eliminate Villarreal in the semi-finals of the Champions League, they will eventually play all the possible matches they could have at the beginning of the season. This further reflects this power in depth, as well as how important it is.
This is also a rare case in which City’s planning can be criticized.
Guardiola cannot be accused of any kind of lack of money, given that they have a £ 100 million replacement in Jack Greenish. There was almost a negative for the playmaker to start such a match, as it is a rare case lately to trust him.
Jack Grillish started just one of City’s four games against Liverpool and Atletico this month
(FA via Getty Images)
However, in what was repeated during the City season, there are questions about the allocation of these sufficient resources. This goes beyond the debate over whether they should have spent Grealish’s money on a striker. The front position is now just one of the few where they look short. This match reminded that they will need another midfielder and at least one more defensive option.
Again, however, Guardiola does not have too many reasons to complain. This is a team that is just one-sided, not low. They have too many of the same strengths in too many of the same areas.
Keep in mind that this can be reflected in silverware. City can still end a “distorted” season by winning the two biggest trophies in the Premier League and the Champions League, rather than in the two domestic cups.
This may have been another lesson from this game. This showed the influence of the list of matches and draws, as well as how Guardiola gives priority to his team.
While Liverpool managed to rest most of their stars in the Champions League rematch against Benfica on Wednesday, and not here, the Catalan naturally had to work hard for his match in the middle of the week and make changes for Wembley.
Pep Guardiola defended his team’s selection after Liverpool terminated their triple offer
(Getty Images)
It can be crucial in the biggest tests, as City’s biggest players are kept a little fresher.
However, this is an interesting inversion of what has happened in recent seasons. Although Liverpool may now have a more in-depth squad, it is City that has a more defined best XI.
This may still be the best XI in England and Europe, something that can still be proven by where the main trophies end.
Just this semi-final also proved that Liverpool has the team to better manage the battle on all fronts. That’s why they can still win four times, and City are now looking to double.
Klopp, of course, dismissed the prospect.
“You can mention whatever you want,” he said. “That doesn’t make it more likely. A game like today’s actually shows how unlikely it is, incredibly difficult and intense … it’s really unlikely that a team will win all the games.”
The natural tendency is to think that there will be a dropout somewhere. “It’s all about making decisions before the game.”
Guardiola, for his part, still has a chance for the two trophies he would choose the most. The big question now is whether this will be influenced by the fact that Klopp has more choice than his team.
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