Pundit issues ‘massive’ Liverpool claim after what he’s seen at Anfield – ‘the players know’
Noel Whelan has claimed Liverpool have now “found the right gear” as they provided a much-needed “reaction” with the 9-0 win over Bournemouth.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Reds’ mammoth effort in 2021-22 wasn’t behind their poor start this season.
Liverpool played 63 games across all competitions last term and started the new campaign in a sluggish fashion – picking up just two points from their first three league engagements.
However, Klopp’s side bounced back on Saturday (27 August) at Anfield – registering a 9-0 win over promoted Bournemouth.
The win keeps Liverpool within seven points of Premier League leaders Arsenal and five points of reigning champions Man City.
Whelan insisted the Merseysiders have now “clicked” and found the “clinical edge” which saw them reach three cup finals last term.
When asked if last season’s mammoth campaign could have been behind Liverpool’s sluggish start, he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “I wouldn’t say so.
“Look at Man City.
“It takes time to get into your stride sometimes – but they seemed to find the right gear against Bournemouth.
“They’ve had injuries and suspensions to key players, which really doesn’t help.
“Before Saturday they hadn’t quite clicked yet – there was a missing ingredient, the final pass was off.
“They were struggling without that clinical edge we saw last season, but they’ve found it now.
“Klopp needed and was looking for a massive reaction against Bournemouth, and the players knew they needed to provide one very quickly.
“They couldn’t afford to be too far behind Man City and Arsenal.”
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