A breakdown of Liverpool’s impressive record v top six under Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp may not yet have ended Liverpool‘s long wait for a Premier League title – but their record against the rest of the ‘big six’ suggests it could happen soon.
Liverpool’s Achilles heel under Klopp has been their results against the so-called lesser lights of the league, but a stronger squad should help in that regard this season.
And if they maintain their record against Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, the Reds may just have a chance of lasting the distance.
Arsenal
Won: 3
Drew: 3
Lost: 1
Liverpool have run riot against Arsenal since Klopp took over at Anfield, taking advantage of their defensive frailties.
The biggest win since the German’s arrival was Liverpool’s 4-0 victory at home last season. The match, which came at the beginning of the campaign, convinced many Arsenal fans they would be facing another one of those seasons under Arsene Wenger.
Klopp famously said of the former Arsenal boss’ style of play: “He likes having the ball, playing football, passes. It’s like an orchestra. But it’s a silent song. I like heavy metal.”
Chelsea
Won: 2
Drew: 3
Lost: 1
Klopp’s first Premier League win was against Chelsea, the Reds beating the London side 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.
And the former Borussia Dortmund boss has mostly come out on top ever since, in encounters that don’t normally feature many goals.
Manchester United
Won: 1
Drew: 4
Lost: 3
Liverpool’s only victory over Manchester United was a 2-0 win in the Europa League in 2016. A 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in the second leg sealed United’s fate.
It’s United who the Reds have struggled against most under Klopp, losing three times, but more often than not this has been a game both sides have been desperate not to lose.
Mourinho said of Liverpool after a 1-1 draw last season: “We stopped them playing, but they also did very well from the defensive point of view.
“They played Can and Henderson for some reason and they did that for 90 minutes when they normally project more players in attack. They were very cautious.”
Manchester City
Won: 6
Drew: 1
Lost: 2
Liverpool’s record against City under Klopp has been quite extraordinary.
City have only beaten Liverpool twice in the past nine encounters, albeit one of them was a League Cup final, Pep Guardiola’s men winning on penalties to deny Klopp his first piece of silverware with the Reds.
The Citizens also thrashed Liverpool 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium last season, after Sadio Mane was controversially sent off early on for a high-boot on Ederson.
Tottenham Hotspur
Won: 3
Drawn: 3
Lost: 1
Mauricio Pochettino only joined Spurs the year before Klopp joined the Reds, and he, like the German, has rapidly turned around his club.
But since Klopp’s move to England, the Argentine has only recorded a single win against Liverpool, albeit a convincing 4-1 victory.
The latest encounter between the sides saw the Reds come out on top again, winning 2-1 at Wembley, to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season.
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