Jurgen Klopp’s master plan is to win with minimum effort

The strategy

The strategy then, goes something like this… give maximum effort against the other top five sides in the Premier League, try to win as many of the 30 points available in those ties. With everyone else on the fixture list, play only well enough to rise to the strengths and quality of those opposing lesser sides.

Conserving as much energy as possible, only turning on the energy levels in the final quarter hour of matches to ensure the win. Because of superior fitness and quality, this philosophy works well in most instances.

But you have to have the horses in the stable to manage games and entire campaigns in this fashion. Indeed the proof is in the pudding, as they say. This is a very scientific and efficiency-driven way to manage matches and seasons. It is also patently German.

This has become quite apparent this campaign as Liverpool have left it late to win against sides they are far superior to. Too many times now to be mere coincidence. Just reflect on their Boxing Day fixture away at Leicester City, after a relentless holiday fixture schedule that saw them bring home the Club WC trophy and 15 points in PL matches, the Reds went on the road and handed Brendan Rodgers and the Foxes a hugely significant 4-0 thrashing. No second gear in this match.

This says an awful lot about the confidence Jürgen has in his team and their mental fortitude to manage games in this fashion. And his team has rewarded him handsomely for this vote of confidence and belief. It exudes from every pore of this squad.

If you were listening to the grumblings from  the cagey German in November and December past, about fixture pile up and player exhaustion, you can begin to piece together the wiley ol gaffer’s plan for player fitness management from a complete season outlook.

Jürgen has done everything he could to stand up for his players and the demands for their time on-field in this modern version of year round football. Klopp will always attempt to protect his players. It is one of his endearing qualities and one reason players past and present hold him in such high regard.

But there is a larger motive here I believe. He is trying to keep his key players as fresh as possible for that spring run-in he knows is coming, (that he saw so many sides succumb to in his Bundesliga years). He is playing a mental game that is three dimensional chess while everyone else shakes their heads and wonders what the hell is going on.

‘A throw-in coach?’…’really? Come on’…and they laughed.

Jürgen has built the most efficient side anywhere in the world of club football, and the very best of this amazing squad is yet to come. Hold on to your hats folks, the final third to this miraculous season should prove to be one to be remember for ages to come.

Words by Paul Landwehr.