Although, the final lineup of top four sides is almost finalized, yet every match that carries significant change in the typical form of any club attracts everyone’s attention and last Liverpool vs Stoke City premier league showdown was one such affair that proved why Reds are being labeled as a completely transformed side under Jurgen Klopp guidance. Anfield side defeated the visitors by a big 4-1 margin on the board which is their best show this season, although, it will have little impact on their board ranking, even then, German boss seems to be highly impressed with the complete performance of his side. If we scrutinize the game and its contents, Klopp made as many as seven changes to his side – that includes Kevin Stewart and Sheyi Ojo who played their debut Premier League game along with Kolo Toure, Martin Skrtel, Joe Allen, Daniel Sturridge, and Roberto Firmino who also got the opportunity to play in the first team. The aggressive transformation is believed to be Klopp’s trial for two Championship quarterfinals his side is going to play against Borussia Dortmund very soon and he is possibly looking for the best players’ combination for remaining UEFA games.
Showing his satisfaction over the show and why he now enjoys more options for the upcoming crucial European finals, 48-year-old said, “For a team that has never played together, it was brilliant. I thought we would have more problems. I thought it was a formation that could win, but not like this. The cross was really brilliant and Daniel finished perfectly. The first goal was quick in mind. Alberto, I would say, had his strongest performance since I have been here.
“Of course the goal gave him confidence, but he was concentrated, good in defence and very good in our build-up. The whole game was good against a really difficult side. For a second time, they changed their style of play only for us. In the League Cup semifinal at Stoke, the first half they played football, second half they changed a little bit, and when they came here it was a long-ball festival. With the wind and Peter Crouch it was clear it would be difficult, but the experience of Kolo and Martin ruled it in the end.”
Moreover adding about the change in confidence his side now enjoys, 48-year-old furthered, “You see what confidence can do. I think Divock said it himself that when he came here everything was different. He is still a very young player. Coming here he knows expectations are really high because he’s a highly-rated striker.”