Since last week's review, we've seen two wins, the re-emergence of one of the club's younger players and the prospect of the ghost of Liverpool past rearing it's head. The good, the bad and the damned ugly from our favourite club and a quick look at the week ahead..
This week's undoubted good has to be the unbeaten run which is beginning to take shape under Jürgen Klopp. Since defeating Bournemouth in the Capital One Cup, the team executed a fantastic win over Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge on Staurday. A brace from Philippe Coutinho and a late Christian Benteke effort was enough to put the defending champions to the sword. Made all the more sweet for the fact that the hosts took the lead after four minutes.
Aside from the win, good performances all round most notably Roberto Firmino and again Emre Can pointed to good things ahead. Klopp even had time to send Dejan Lovren on in midfield for Adam Lallana after 91 minutes! Taking the p%ss? You decide.
Last nights win over FK Rubin Kazan in the Europa League Group B match should also get a mention. A man of the match performance form rejuvenated Jordan Ibe was the pick of many and simply goes to demonstrate the positive effect Klopp has had on the players.
The bad this week will be the ongoing injury crisis at the club. Jordan Henderson, Daniel Sturridge and Kolo Touré remain sidelined. However Klopp confirmed Coutinho is also carrying a slight hamstring injury! If things continue like this, he'll struggle to get 11 fit players soon. I'm no physio but you have to wonder why there are so many players unable to stay fit. Is it the training methods? Is it this famed gegenpressing brand of football we hear banded about? Whatever it is, it needs looking at. The situation is improving but it remains noteworthy.
The ugly. What falls into this category? For me, it's got to be the speculation around Steven Gerrard's return to the club in January, albeit for "training". This's would be a massive mistake by Klopp and club. The Gerrard era is over. Finished. Done. Past. Move on guys! I don't believe the furor surrounding the ex-captain would be any good for the current crop of players. I'm in total agreement with former Liverpool favourite Didi Hamman who told talksport this week he didn't even think him training with the team is a good idea. Sad to say this but the 35 year-old (yes, 35 years old!) has had his day. He was quoted recently as saying next year will probably be his last. Can you imagine how long his legs will last with a footballing approach that is already taking its toll on players 15 years younger than he is? He'll be back on the treatment table quicker than you could write "sick note"! Let the players continue their development without the circus and conjecture that'll unfortunately but inevitably follow him. If he want’s to do his best for the club, then he can keep a low profile and let them get on with things.
So, that's a quick peek back at the week that was. Overall, it's been a good one. Sunday brings the visit to Anfield of Crystal Palace. Which will be a solid, solid test for the new regime. Without doubt this will be a stonkingly (is that a word?) good game. Despite the feeling that the Eagles have taken over from Wimbledon as Liverpool's bogie team, the Reds' record against the south Londoners isn't actually that bad at home, considering they've only lost once to them at Anfield in the last five league meetings. It's at Selhurst Park and in the cups that LFC usually gets stuffed.
Still, should that happen, Klopp has a week free to work and train with the players which is the first time since September. No rest for the wicked!
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