Is a break or a rhythm better for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool? The Reds boss believes we’ll get the answer soon.
Liverpool’s defeat to Wolves in the FA Cup started a debate about rest in the title race. Klopp’s team would now get breaks where Manchester City would not, potentially keeping them fresher.
But a break meant missing out on rhythm. City have played League Cup and FA Cup games while Liverpool rested, winning convincingly.
Liverpool, on the other hand, returned from their first break to draw with Leicester City and West Ham United. The draws are the only times they’ve dropped points against teams outside the top six this season.
So was the break worth it or did it interrupt Klopp and Liverpool’s rhythm? Klopp believes the answer could come soon.
Klopp on the rhythm v break debate
“We’ve used the time we had to work on some tactical things,” he said, according to the Liverpool Echo. “The way we saw it, we prepared for the rest of the season and tried to prepare some tactical input and some fitness things. We needed the time to bring some players back too.
“What is best, having the rhythm or having the break? I don’t know, we can’t change it. We tried to use our situation. The answer maybe will be given on Tuesday night.”
Liverpool face Bayern Munich on Tuesday night in the Champions League. Will that be the answer though? That depends on the priorities this season.
You’ll likely find that most Reds fans want to see the benefits in the Premier League. In fact, you may not have much trouble finding fans who would exit the Champions League for further rest between games.
And so we may not actually see the answer until the end of the season. If the break allows Liverpool to play at full steam until the end of the season, it’ll be seen as a good thing.
Alternatively, if the dropped points after the break prove fatal, Klopp and the fans will be cursing the loss of rhythm.