Liverpool face fresh challenge as Jurgen Klopp restores the fear factor

It is a sign of the raised standards around Anfield these days that Liverpool’s last two results were considered by some to be disappointing.

On Sunday, Jurgen Klopp's Reds returned to the top of the Premier League as they took a point from an Old Trafford clash with resurgent arch-rivals Manchester United.

They did so four days on from playing out another goalless draw with Bayern Munich that left the sides’ Champions League last-16 tie on a knife-edge.

Those results would be considered positive in most seasons, but it is consecutive failures to trouble the scoresheet that appears to have raised fresh doubts over Liverpool’s bid for silverware this term.

Yet Klopp did not leave Manchester fretting over whether his team’s shortcomings had been exposed in their last two outings.

Instead, he was focused on the next developmental step spelled out by a week that probably ranks simply as good, rather than great.

“Today was not brilliant, but we’ve lost here more often than we’ve drawn,” he said.

“Today we drew, we have a point but it feels like we should have won – that was the same against Bayern.

“It shows where you’re coming from when Bayern plays against you and defends with all they have.

“Something changed in the world of football, everybody adapted to it and now we have to make sure we adapt as well to our quality.”

The change Klopp speaks of owes much to the progress he has made since arriving at Anfield in 2015.

The German’s first full campaign in charge saw the Reds avoid defeat in every single top-six clash but drop enough points elsewhere to finish only fourth.

As such, his main concern was remedying a long-standing issue with ‘bus-parking’ teams from the lower reaches of the table.

This season’s tally of 53 points from a possible 57 against the bottom 14 sides suggests the Liverpool boss has largely succeeded in that aim.

Unfortunately, the leading lights of the Premier League have now begun deploying similar tactics - and have enjoyed a degree of success as a result.

Previously, the likes of United, Tottenham and Manchester City were happy to go toe-to-toe with what they considered inferior opposition.

As such, Klopp could name a conservative midfield for these contests and look to hit opponents on the counter, which the Reds often did to great effect.

But even Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering champions were reluctant to show such adventure at Anfield this term, and others - including European giants such as Bayern - have followed suit.

Klopp must now consider how his team can overcome the fresh challenge of having the initiative thrust upon them in these huge games.

Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri represent possible solutions, with Fabinho’s growing stature in his role as defensive protector potentially allowing for such a change.

With only two top-six clashes remaining this term - Tottenham and Chelsea both visiting Anfield - this particular conundrum may not have a huge impact on the destination of the title.

But if Klopp is continue living up to the expectations he has created, he will know this is the next problem to solve.