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Why Can’t Liverpool Beat The ‘Smaller Teams’?

By Joe Dowthwaite

Liverpool's Belgian striker Divock Origi jumps to head their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Liverpool's Belgian striker Divock Origi jumps to head their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Does Liverpool have an mental-block when it comes to playing lower-table sides? It sure seems like it after the loss to Bournemouth on Wednesday. How will the boys respond on Saturday against Stoke?

When Liverpool play against the top 6-7 teams in the Premier League, the Reds always show up and grind either a win or a draw, depending on the type of game.

However, it may be difficult to believe, but all of Liverpool’s losses this season have all came against lower opposition in the league, with this occurring regularly you can see why the Reds are always labelled as inconsistent.

The most recent disaster was against Bournemouth on Wednesday, when the Reds allowed a late shot by Joshua King slip by them to bring the Cherries even at 2-2.

This Weekend at Stoke

Liverpool travel to Stoke City this weekend, just after coming off  a frustrating draw against Bournemouth. This is a huge setback in the Reds top 4 pursuit. Liverpool haven’t always succeeded away at Stoke, because it is a difficult place to play and come home with 3 points.

Klopp and the boys are obvious favorites to win the game and carry on with our top 4 expectation. The fans know that this will not be an easy game, no game is easy in the Premier League these days.

Jürgen Klopp has come under some criticism because of the substitutes he made against Bournemouth on Wednesday; mainly the Coutinho for Matip substitution. Despite losing 2 points, Klopp will have to raise the team’s morale and mentality. He has recently encouraged his players to play more like Chelsea, who regularly close out matches in a good way.

The match against Stoke on the weekend is a must win match for Liverpool!

So, is the player’s mentality the reason why Liverpool struggle against ‘Smaller Teams’? We will have to wait and see how the players respond on Saturday.

Next: Liverpool Should Be More Like Chelsea? Ask Klopp About It

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