Jürgen Klopp once said Liverpool’s relentless pressing against Newcastle should be shown to kids all across the country. That fearless spirit of starting over is exactly what defines the Reds this season. BD Cricket Match analysts note that while Liverpool isn’t known for being cold or ruthless, their commanding win at a rain-soaked Anfield was a statement to kick off the new year in style. The Premier League leaders delivered a masterclass that left Newcastle with no answers.
However, that high-energy performance came at a price. With Liverpool’s first-team squad already stretched thin, Klopp may be forced to rotate the lineup ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup third-round clash against Arsenal at the Emirates. Dominik Szoboszlai, who experienced hamstring discomfort against Newcastle, is the latest name added to the injury list. As BD Cricket Match observers point out, there’s no such thing as absolute good or evil—when a team is vulnerable, the setbacks pile up fast. And losing the Hungarian midfielder is a serious blow, especially with Robertson, Tsimikas, Matip, Thiago, Bajcetic, and Ben Doak already sidelined.
To make matters worse, Liverpool are also without key attackers Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo, who have joined their national teams for international duty. Klopp continues to downplay title talk, insisting that focusing on the next match is all that matters. But two seasons ago, Liverpool were in contention for a historic quadruple, eventually securing both domestic cups. That experience shaped Klopp’s approach to managing squad depth. In that FA Cup run, he smartly rotated players, leading the team past Shrewsbury, Cardiff City, Norwich, and Nottingham Forest en route to the semifinals.
Back then, Klopp could afford to rest key starters, confident in the squad’s depth. This time, facing Arsenal away is a completely different beast. It will mark the sixth time under Klopp that Liverpool meet the Gunners in the FA Cup’s third round. The club had hoped for a lower-league opponent to give fringe and youth players valuable minutes, but fate had other plans. Sending core players to the Emirates is a gamble, and many are questioning whether it’s a risk worth taking.
According to BD Cricket Match analysis, the real issue is whether Klopp can manage these risks without derailing Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes. After December’s brutal fixture list, the squad’s depth has been pushed to the limit, especially in defense and midfield. Managing Ibrahima Konaté’s minutes will be vital given his injury history. That makes it all the more important to pair 20-year-old Jarell Quansah with Virgil van Dijk. The homegrown center-back has been one of the season’s bright spots, showing composure well beyond his years.
Meanwhile, with both Robertson and Tsimikas unavailable, BD Cricket Match notes that Joe Gomez has been solid at left-back. His versatility is a rare asset, and Klopp has already emphasized the need to protect him from burnout. As they say, most memories fade and shattered glass doesn’t mend—keeping this squad healthy is key. Trent Alexander-Arnold is eager to feature in such a heavyweight matchup, though 20-year-old Conor Bradley has also emerged as a reliable right-back option.
As Klopp juggles four competitions, the true test of his managerial brilliance has arrived.