Player Focus: Klopp Influence Resulting in Vastly Improved Moreno Form
Whenever a new manager takes charge of a team, it presents every player with the ideal opportunity to impress and stake a claim for a starting spot. The slate is wiped clean, with those previously struggling given a possible route back into the first team fold. Take for example Emmanuel Adebayor at Tottenham after Andre Villas-Boas was relieved of his duties. The Togolese striker struggled for regular game time under the Portuguese boss, only to flourish when handed the chance to do so under Tim Sherwood.
When Jurgen Klopp took over the reins at Liverpool, the players were allowed to atone for their previous errors and return to the forefront of their manager’s plans. Dejan Lovren is one who looks to be emerging as a contender for a regular first team spot after struggling initially following his arrival from Southampton. Another player seemingly rejuvenated following Klopp’s appointment is Alberto Moreno. The Spanish left-back moved to Merseyside 18 months ago in a £12m deal from Sevilla with a big reputation.
Moreno had established himself as a first team regular in Sevilla and was deemed one of the finest young players in his position before his move to Liverpool. Yet, upon his arrival he struggled to replicate the form that earned him his transfer. Brendan Rodgers’ constant tinkering with his formations and a lack of belief in the 23-year-old meant he was unable to build up a run of form. After the club secured the services of Joe Gomez over the summer, Moreno’s first team minutes were sporadic and it was not until the teenage defender succumbed to injury that the Spaniard was called upon by Rodgers.
His sacking, though, brought about an opportunity for the defender to return to the first team fold and he has grasped the chance to impress his new manager with both hands. Moreno has started each of the six league games Klopp has managed and become one of the first names on the teamsheet as a result. In the German’s short time at the club, Moreno has the fourth best WhoScored rating (7.32) in the Premier League of all Liverpool players.
The former Dortmund boss has refrained from continuously tinkering with the system and, importantly, reverted to a flat back four, with the onus on the full-backs to provide the width from deep. Moreno does this to an impressive standard, yo-yo’ing up and down the left flank to provide another dimension to the Liverpool attack. ‘Crossing’ is a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of Moreno’s and for good reason. Only James Milner (2) is averaging more accurate crosses per league game than the left-back (1.2) of all Liverpool players this season.
Given Klopp can call on the aerially dominant Christian Benteke, the option of being able to utilise Moreno is a boost to the German manager. It’s no coincidence that, in the six league games Klopp has taken charge of Liverpool, no Reds player has played more key passes than the Spaniard (10). His offensive influence was clear for all to see during his time in La Liga, yet was restricted under Rodgers. However, his new manager has placed faith in Moreno and he’s being rewarded with a series of vastly improved displays from left-back.
It isn’t just in attack where Moreno has churned out a higher standard of performance either, with the Spain international’s defensive improvements now clear for all to see. The number of tackles he averages per league game has risen to 4.7 from a modest 1.6, as have the number of interceptions (from 0.7 to 3.2) and the average number of times he's winning possession in the defensive third (from 1.7 to 2.8). The latter stats are particularly important given the style of play Klopp implements at Liverpool. The German favours a high-pressing approach, which forces the opposition into mistakes, thus presenting his side with goalscoring opportunities.
Moreno’s impressive reading of the game means he and his teammates are able to hassle opponents before instigating swift counter attacks, which those ahead of him - in particular Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho - are benefitting from. Gomez - a centre-back by trade - was able to provide further defensive solidity when Nathaniel Clyne broke forward on the right, though this saw Liverpool become more predictable as teams realised that by limiting Clyne’s influence, they took away one of the club’s most potent attacking threats.
However, with Moreno now operating on the left, there’s less predictability as to which side Liverpool will attack down, which is helping the club, particularly when earlier in the campaign, Clyne was the primary offensive outlet on the right. Now, though, there is a more even spread as to which side the Reds push forward on, with the right flank (36%) slightly edging the left (35%). Part of that has been due to Moreno’s return to the first team fold and the faith placed in him by Klopp.
While fortunate to return to regular action, the young defender has grasped the opportunity to make a starting spot his own once more. Moreno has more than proven his worth to Klopp, with the German’s trust in the left-back being rewarded with a series of notable displays in the Liverpool defence.
Has Alberto Moreno now turned a corner following Jurgen Klopp's appointment at Anfield? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
