Liverpool in the Premier League era have been predictably, unpredictable.
Barring a couple of outliers, the sequence has largely remained the same – play well, really well, for a stretch of games, well enough to get supporters believing a title assault beckons and then as a weaker side approaches, slip up.
It’s a cyclical pattern which has played out time and time again as optimism has more often than not been shadowed by a setback. And against Swansea, just as expectations began to rise after four straight wins in all competitions, it appeared another stumbling block was in the offing.
For the first 45 minutes, Jurgen Klopp’s side were simply dreadful. By a comfortably margin it was their most substandard display of this embryonic season.
Yes, it was even worse than the defeat at Burnley. Strangers in possession, negligent in dangerous areas and insipid in their pressure on the ball, the visitors struggled to mount a legitimate attack.
In truth, Swansea ought to have taken more than just a single goal advantage into half-time.
But with a manager famed for a proclivity for “heavy-metal football”, perhaps Klopp had Led Zeppelin’s ‘Communication Breakdown’ blaring at the break to get his message across because in the second half they returned in sync.
Firmino doing the Americans at school celebration pic.twitter.com/5VsQgIeTH3
— CC (@CarelessChelsea) October 1, 2016
That point alone, gives credence to the transformation Liverpool have undergone in the German’s first 12 months in charge. After the displays of strength against Leicester, Chelsea and Hull, they found a different way to win, one which initially looked unlikely, and its struggle, has fortified optimism.
But make no mistake, a Liverpool title challenge, at this stage at least, appears unlikely, although, they will be entertaining in their pursuit of proving that assessment wrong.
Undoubtedly, there will be those who legitimise any argument to suggest they are serious contenders by pointing to the statistics.
Great goal let's go reds. Penalty coolly taken by James Milner
— LFC BUZZ🔴 (@LFC_Liverpool_x) October 1, 2016
🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴
RT and follow for all #LFC goals.
#SWALIV pic.twitter.com/gXuc0tQ9qE
After all, in the league this season, the Reds lead the way per game in: shots, shots on target, chances created, passes in the opposition half, dribbles completed, average distance covered and are second overall for possession and goals scored.
All make for impressive reading, but as is often the case with stats, they only paint half the picture, and while one half (attack) is Da Vinci, the other (defence) is Picasso, a vision of confusion.
The backline, predictably, is undermining any talk of a title challenge. In seven games the Reds have failed to register a single clean sheet.
In fact, you have to go as far back as February to find their last one away from home in the league. The problem starts with the goalkeeper.
🗣 Match-winner James Milner and #LFC captain @JHenderson believe the Reds deserved the three points from today's game 👍 pic.twitter.com/OQptLjJx5z
— LFC TV (@LFCTV) October 1, 2016
It appears Klopp has settled on his first-choice stopper with summer import Loris Karius preferred to Simon Mignolet in the sticks. But the 23-year-old was worryingly tentative yesterday. His kicking was anxious and the German frequently flapped at crosses – the ones he came out for anyway.
Yes, it can take time for a keeper to adjust to the vigour of English football and David De Gea’s first season at Manchester United is a testament to that, but that’s hardly ideal if you harbour ambitions of competing at the summit.
You also have to factor in the propensity to leak sloppy goals from set-pieces, an issue yet again underlined at the Liberty Stadium.
For the time being, Liverpool are a joy to watch but whether they have the staying power to keep up with the likes of Manchester City, remains to be seen.
