Why February could be a make or break month for Liverpool’s season

Things are starting to get serious this month – in both the Premier League and Champions League, with huge games on the horizon for Jürgen Klopp and his Liverpool side.

After going 18 games unbeaten in all competitions, it’s fair to say the Reds were brought crashing back down to Earth with back-to-back defeats to Swansea and West Brom in the league and FA Cup respectively.

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – Tuesday, January 30, 2018: Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the third goal during the FA Premier League match between Huddersfield Town FC and Liverpool FC at the John Smith’s Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

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But normal service was resumed against David Wagner’s Huddersfield this week, with Liverpool looking far more confident and composed in their 3-0 away win at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Liverpool currently sit in third place in the Premier League and are eagerly awaiting their Champions League knockout tie against FC Porto – but they must ensure that things continue to go to plan over the next few weeks to prevent their season from derailing somewhat.

Let’s focus on the game that’s coming up first in February; a home match against Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs are one of Klopp’s main rivals for a top four space this season, and they go into the crunch match at Anfield just two points behind his team.

If one side is to steal a victory, it could prove pivotal as to who finishes where at the end of the season.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Sunday, January 14, 2018: Liverpool players stand to remember former player Tommy Lawrence during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool will feel that thanks to their recent form and good record against Spurs that three points are well within their grasp – and what a crucial three points they could be.

A Liverpool win would push Spurs to five points behind them, and keep Arsenal at least eight points adrift of them. This gap could even increase should the Gunners fail to beat Everton on Saturday.

Klopp could find his team in a very healthy league position at the end of the weekend, hot on the heels of bitter rivals Manchester United and pulling ahead of some of their top four challengers.

This match is followed by a tricky away trip to St Mary’s to face a Southampton team which the Reds should really looking to pick up nothing less than a win against.

Should this happen, six points out of six against them and Spurs would be a perfect way to spring back into Champions League action on Valentine’s Day.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Wednesday, December 6, 2017: Liverpool FC brandimng on the Champions League tunnel arch before the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Liverpool FC and FC Spartak Moscow at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

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An away trip to Porto is something to both relish and be wary of, as the Portuguese side will no doubt fancy themselves to get something out of the game in front of their home fans.

This game, perhaps even more so than the game against Spurs, could really have a defining impact on the rest of Liverpool’s season.

After crashing out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle and stumbling out of the FA Cup after a tame performance against West Brom, there is a feeling among the fan base that a good cup run in the Champions League is almost now expected of the players.

Plus, it is Liverpool’s only realistic (dare I use the word) chance of silverware this season – and that’s even a massive long-shot.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Wednesday, December 6, 2017: Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the seventh goal during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Liverpool FC and FC Spartak Moscow at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

A score draw will be the bare minimum that fans will feel happy with, giving the Reds a real shot at progressing past this stage in Europe’s elite competition for the first time since they reached the quarter final almost 10 years ago back in 2009.

This fixture, should the result go the right way, could give Klopp’s squad another shunt of momentum in the right direction as they head into the final couple of months of domestic and European competition.

After the Champions League, it’ll be back to normality, as David Moyes’ West Ham United visit Anfield in another game where Liverpool will likely come up against something that they have been known to struggle against; and that’s a team that invites pressure and is tough to break down.

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – Tuesday, January 30, 2018: Liverpool’s manager Jürgen Klopp reacts during the FA Premier League match between Huddersfield Town FC and Liverpool FC at the John Smith’s Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

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This will provide another, yet totally different, test of character to the trip to Porto, but is equally as important in terms of the Reds’ top four hopes.

If they can record four wins out of four in February, Liverpool will be looking very likely to be heading for a Champions League quarter final and be sitting comfortably in the Premier League’s top three or four. Not bad.

One other thing to mention, though, is that it is vital that Klopp’s management of his players continues during this period as an injury to a key player could spell trouble.

The squad is in good shape to deal with an injury, but it wouldn’t be ideal. And more than one serious knock would certainly harm Liverpool’s chances on all fronts.

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Source: anfieldhq.com