Rival Lines: 'If Klopp wins the title it would be Liverpool's greatest success'

Rival Lines
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Liverpool v AFCB

Blogger Interview: This is Anfield
Twitter: @thisisanfield

CC: This week I spoke to Henry at This is Anfield who kindly answered my questions ahead of the game with Liverpool. While Liverpool have been knocked off top spot by Man City this week on goal difference, it has only probably made Liverpool more determined to put on a performance against Bournemouth. There has been a lot of transfer business between the two clubs and I wondered what it felt like fro a Liverpool point of view on that, and what it might be like for the fans if Liverpool really did go on to win the title.

CC: Is the pressure starting to get to Klopp what with the snowy Anfield pitch and the comment about not celebrating when other teams fail to take three points after Kyle Walkers' tweet about Liverpool only drawing with Leicester?

TIA: I don't think so, no. Jurgen Klopp is a naturally passionate character - he openly said when he came to England that he would rub people up the wrong way in the heat of the moment, like when he celebrated on the pitch against Everton.

The snow excuse was a bit of a lame on, in truth, but there is still no doubting it affected Liverpool's playing style.

As for the Kyle Walker stuff, the media typically made it into a bigger thing, when in fact Klopp wasn't critical if him and said he hadn't seen it. He simply said that he wouldn't choose to mock other teams when they drop points.

It's the media trying to paint Klopp as being under pressure more than anything.

CC: Do you see it as a two or three horse race for the tile?

TIA:  Tottenham have crept back into the race from nowhere but I still think it will end up being between Liverpool and Man City once we reach April and May.

Spurs' squad depth isn't as good and they won't keep grinding out ugly wins. Hats off to them for coming back into it, though.

The team was flying in December ,but is it more difficult being league leaders looking at recent games with Crystal Palace and Leicester upping their games for Liverpool?

I think at the end of the day Liverpool have had a string of awkward games, including this weekend's clash with Bournemouth, so I wouldn't put it down to the pressures of being top.

Crystal Palace, Leicester and West Ham are all teams who can cause the big sides problems and they did exactly that to the Reds, who never got going in the latter two.

The performance level has definitely dropped in those games, with injuries playing a major part, but in any normal season drawing with Leicester and West Ham would be no great disaster.

It's only because they have an all-time great City team breathing down their necks that so much is being made of dropped points.

CC: Were you disappointed to see no signings in January or would that have upset the dressing room to bring in players at this stage?

TIA: I have total faith in Klopp, considering how superb he has been in the transfer market since arriving, but it could end up being a chance missed.

I totally understand why he didn't choose to sign anyone, for the reasons you gave, but would it really hurt just to take a gamble on someone, even if he doesn't even end up playing?

I thought it made no sense selling Nathaniel Clyne to you - once again, even if he isn't part of the plans, at least he is there in case of injuries, as Liverpool are currently experiencing at right-back.

But Klopp knows a hell of a lot more about football than me!

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CC: What is the latest on Alexander Trent-Arnold - is on his way back?

TIA: Trent Alexander-Arnold is trying desperately to be fit in time for Saturday's game and his return would be a huge positive. It's a tough call at the moment.

It is only when he isn't playing that you truly realise what an influential presence he is, making endless runs and providing quality from the right.

He is only 20, but he is already such a big player and I fully expect him to captain the Reds one day.

CC: Do you think Liverpool would sell Nathaniel Clyne of Bournemouth make a sensible offer in the summer?

TIA: Yes, to put it bluntly. Clyne is not part of Liverpool's future plans, which is precisely why Klopp was willing to loan him out in January.

He is far from a bad player - he is actually very solid and I expect him to do well for Bournemouth - but the Reds have moved on while he has stood still. Injuries clearly haven't helped.

Bournemouth is his level now, which is not meant to sound disrespectful. He's a mid-table right-back and he would be a strong permanent signing for the Cherries.

CC: What can Bournemouth fans expect to see from Dominic Solanke?

TIA: I like Dominic Solanke. It just never worked out for him at Liverpool, not helped by the fact that he had three world-class attackers keeping him out of the team.

There is a lot of ability in his boots, however, and he has the all-round game to mature into a top striker. He is strong, quick, powerful and knows where the goal is, even though he only scored one for us!

You can never predict the future, and Solanke may never reach his potential, but with regular football and a manager like Eddie Howe spurring him on, he could be a real success story.

CC: What did you make of Liverpool's latest outing against West Ham and do you expect a few changes for the Bournemouth match?

TIA: As mentioned, Liverpool were way short of their best and arguably deserved to lose to an impressive West Ham side. The performance was disappointingly flat from the first minute and you knew from about 60 minutes onwards that a winning goal would never come. The reaction after the final whistle was one of anger from fans, which is pretty mad when you consider the Reds' league position still.

Injuries did a big part in the dropped points, though, with Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren, Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum all out. They have all been important, regular figures this season.

We ended up with James Milner at right-back - it could have been Clyne! - and a midfield that had never played together, and it showed.

I won't be panic just yet, but failure to beat Bournemouth would officially mean cause for concern.

CC: What would it mean for Liverpool fans to win the Premier League title - how would Klopp rank alongside Paisley, Dalglish and Shankly?

TIA:  For me personally, and I know many millions of others, it would be Liverpool's greatest success of all time, especially when you look at the team they are up against.

It is tough to put into words how much a Premier League title would mean to the supporters, particularly those like me who only started supporting them in the 1990s.

I'm convinced if it happened, which I still don't think it will, the majority of us will just spend all summer on the ale and forget that real life exists.

Klopp would instantly gain legendary status, as Rafa Benitez did when he won the Champions League, and it would be some way to win his first trophy at Anfield.

You've got me all excited now!

CC: The general trend has been for Bournemouth to buy Liverpool players but do you think Liverpool might be interested in any of Bournemouth's players this summer?

TIA:  David Brooks is the one who looks special to me. I saw him play for Sheffield United against Sheffield Wednesday a few years back - my dad is a Wednesday fan - and he stood out so much.

He has the look of a Klopp player about him, in terms of his creativity, versatility and attitude, so I could definitely seem them eyeing up a move further down the line.

I rate Nathan Ake highly, too, and think he would be an excellent addition to squad. He is better than Lovren and Joel Matip, although Gomez and Virgil van Dijk looks set to be the long-terms partnership.

Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser continue to impress me as well, although I don't think they are quite good enough, or have the potential to be good enough for Liverpool.

CC: What is your score prediction for the match?

TIA: I'm going to go Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth. You will give us a tough game, just like Palace, Leicester and West Ham did, although Brooks is a big loss through injury.

Enjoy the game, but please don't hamper our title chances!

CC: Some very full and honest answers from Henry there. I still believe it is Liverpool's title to win if they can hold their heads. They have the players to do it, but if they do come unstuck at some point I wonder when it would be. Could Bournemouth really do something special at Anfield? I think we would need a full squad that is fully fit and AFCb just don't have that at the moment. Playing Liverpool is always a great game though and AFCB's players will learn every time they go up against such teams. So there is plenty to keep our eyes glued to the match this weekend.

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