Blog: Saints win has given Klopp a selection dilemma

The players knew Ronald Koeman’s side would serve as tough opposition, but did not panic after conceding in the first minute and rallied to produce a masterful performance of world class attacking play to seal their place in the semi-finals.

We did not put a foot wrong after Southampton’s goal and completely overwhelmed the home side with incisive finishing and pinpoint passing, almost reminiscent of the dominant Liverpool teams of the 1980s. The sight of Daniel Sturridge taking his two goals in exceptional fashion provided new hope that he is ready to play an important role this season and that he has not lost his goalscoring touch despite persistent injury troubles.

Divock Origi looked a completely different player at St. Mary’s, scoring a brilliant hat-trick that will undoubtedly boost his confidence and help his chances of contending for a place in Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI. His was a performance of power and fantastic finishing that lifted the team to another level.

The result on Wednesday stands as the embodiment of Klopp’s impact on Merseyside after 11 games in charge. He has brought in an ethos of refusing to lay down and breaking down opponents methodically with his famed ‘gegenpressing’ style of play. Klopp has also suffered just one defeat, which proves how hard to beat he has made the Reds already.

But it is his man-management that is probably the most important aspect of his impact; the morale of the squad is at a new high, and they have begun to play with confidence and assurance while showing faith in the manager’s tactics.

Klopp projects pure energy on the touchline, applauding his players when they do well and yelling when they don’t, and his unrivalled enthusiasm has rubbed off considerably on the players. What can usually be perceived as an initial lift in results and morale following a managerial switch does not apply to Liverpool, because recent results have the former Borussia Dortmund boss’ imprint all over them.

Against Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton, the Reds pressed high up throughout each contest, unsettling our opponents and forcing mistakes and penetrating defences with rapid counter-attacks. We have become a force away from home and these victories, particularly against the Premier League’s top teams, bring about a new-found belief that success is possible under Klopp.

The euphoria around the club will be palpable when we make the trip to Newcastle on Sunday. Steve McClaren’s men have not had the best run of form as of late, but still possess talent within their ranks and so this won't be an easy game. Georginio Wijnaldum represents much of Newcastle’s creativity and energy going forward, and minimising his impact on the contest will be key. Papiss Cisse is also unpredictable in the Tynesiders’ forward line, and the likes of Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren will need to be aware of this potential threat.

Klopp also faces a selection dilemma in the front line; Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino are surely in contention for a start, but they must see off the challenge of in-form duo Sturridge and Origi first.

As thrilling as our performances have been under Klopp, he will be the first to reign in all of the excitement, but a win at St. James’ Park on Sunday will prove further that evidence that Liverpool are truly on the up.

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