Liverpool’s title hangover should worry Klopp as Arsenal loss sees Man City keep Premier League points record

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David Lynch15 July 2020

Since Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions last month, their target for the remainder of the season has been a hot topic among fans.

Should Jurgen Klopp look to give his fringe players more time on the pitch in preparation for next term? Or should he push to set a new points record?

Turns out the debate was a waste of time - the Reds’ results since the restart have ensured they now cannot set a new benchmark.

Of course, losing away to nearest challengers Manchester City could be easily excused, while Klopp’s team were unfortunate to drop points to a Burnley smash-and-grab last time out.

POOL/AFP via Getty Images

But this result and the nature of the two Arsenal goals had all the hallmarks of a team who have lost their edge since claiming the title.

There is, of course, no huge shame in that; nobody can take away the fact that this is the squad that ended a painful 30-year wait for a championship on Merseyside, their place in history is secured.

The flipside is that the strange conditions of this season mean the new one starts very soon, and if this hangover lasts much longer then Liverpool fans have every reason to worry about their imminent title defence.

Bittersweet return for Oxlade-Chamberlain

REUTERS

It is easily forgotten that, at the time, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s move from Arsenal to Liverpool was considered by some to be risky.

One Premier League, one Champions League, and one guard of honour later, it would be fair to say the Englishman has had the last laugh.

Still, this latest visit to the Emirates Stadium offered a chance for the midfielder to make one more point to his former employer: that he is best suited to the central role he long coveted while with the Gunners.

That opportunity had come about because of the surprise omission of Naby Keita, whose absence from the 1-1 draw with Burnley was assumed to be with this game in mind.

In Pictures | Liverpool vs Burnley | 11/07/2020

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Unfortunately for Oxlade-Chamberlain, he simply could not capitalise, producing a sloppy performance that came to an end on the hour mark, as so many of his starts tend to.

The 26-year-old has all the tools to be a major player for Liverpool but, since his injury, has failed to consistently put them all together.

If he is to play a bigger role next term after watching on from afar for much of this, he desperately needs to start showing improvement.

Keita and Minamino minutes a must

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Although Klopp played down his desire to set a new Premier League points record in recent weeks, his team selections have suggested an interest in breaking new ground.

A congested fixture list and a smattering of injuries have forced some degree of rotation, but largely the German has preferred to go with tried and tested.

However, with the possibility of surpassing 100 points now gone, surely it is time for Liverpool’s squad men to get more regular starts.

The financial impact of the coronavirus is likely to make for a quiet window for the champions, or at the very least delay their business.

If that is the case, then the manager needs to see how big a part players such as Takumi Minamino and Naby Keita - who have been on the fringes this term - can play next time around.

Both men should be in line to start the next two games.

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