Liverpool have to win a trophy this season

I have admired Jurgen Klopp’s work as a boss for a while since he managed Dortmund to win Bundesliga titles against all odds against German football overlords Bayern Munich.

I remember watching the football and thinking I wish my team played football like that. I have even forgiven the German boss for joining Liverpool, just because he remains so affable. This season looks like the most promising in recent history for the Reds. However, there is a nagging doubt that things could be on the turn after a stellar start to the campaign.

Defeat in Belgrade

On Tuesday night, Klopp and his Liverpool team suffered a 2-0 defeat in Belgrade against Red Star. The defeat was their third consecutive away loss in Europe.

While the loss was not devastating it is the sort of calamity that Liverpool seems to suffer at vital times in their recent history. Liverpool wants to be contenders for the big trophies, but something is just missing.

They have an undoubtedly brilliant front three in Salah, Firmino and Mane, while impressive Dutch man-mountain Virgil van Dijk has helped shore up the defence this season.

Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson has looked solid, but he has done a few impressions of Loris Karius this season, which may have Reds fans worried. The Brazilian number one should have done better with Red Star’s second goal, but cannot take the blame for the defeat. As a whole Liverpool failed to turn up or struggled to find their mojo as Klopp himself put it.

Klopp needs to win a trophy

For me, Jurgen Klopp is still one of the top coaches in European football. However, there is only so long he can live off his trophy-winning days at Dortmund.

There is only so long his team can play fantastic football and not win trophies too. If Klopp fails to win a trophy this season, questions will be asked of the German about his ability to bring the glory days back to Anfield.

Those questions may be harsh, as his rivals in the Premier League and Champions League have invested far more heavily in their squads in the last decade.

Klopp has spent big on the likes of Alisson, Fabinho, Naby Keita and of course Virgil van Dijk in the last 12 months. I hate to defend the team from the other side of the park, but that is a small amount of money compared to that pumped into the Manchester clubs and Chelsea in recent years.

Klopp did wonders with Dortmund without spending big money, so with decent money at his disposal, he is expected to achieve great things. He has not of yet.

Liverpool looking good for a trophy

It pains me to say this, but Liverpool are looking good for a trophy this season. The defeat in Belgrade still leaves the Reds in with a good chance of making the knockout stages of the Champions League. It was not a fatal defeat.

Liverpool are also third in the Premier League table, just two points behind Manchester City, which is a good position to be in at this stage of the season. The Reds are currently second favourites to win the top-flight title at odds of 9/2.

There is a positive atmosphere around the club and a belief that something big is on the horizon under Klopp. However, with Liverpool, there is also that nagging doubt that something, like Tuesday night, could go wrong.

I hope for Evertonian’s sake that Liverpool do not win a trophy this season, as we will never hear the last of it. Unfortunately, for us, it seems that the current Liverpool team may just be able to end their six-and-a-bit-year trophy drought this season.

Will Liverpool win a trophy this season?