Liverpool turn a corner ahead of Champions League tie with Real Madrid

On 14 January, Liverpool suffered a 3-0 defeat to Brighton in the Premier League. On 29 January, they were beaten again by the same club, this time in the FA Cup (2-1). Luis Diaz, Konaté, Firmino, Diogo Jota and Van Dijk were all injured and the players who were available were unable to make their starts in the side count. Wolves then humiliated Klopp’s men, winning 3-0 at Molineux, all of this adding to a shaky start to the season that had ruined their Premier League chances.

Even qualification for the Champions League was a pipe dream, with fourth-placed Newcastle eleven points ahead. Everton were next up and Thiago was added to the list of casualties on the eve of the Merseyside derby. Despite the absence of the Spaniard, everything began to change.

Two impressive victories have come since: at Anfield against the Toffees (2-0) and at St James’ Park against the Magpies (0-2). And Firmino, Jota and Van Dijk are no longer on the sidelines. The first two returned for the derby, and Virgil so did at Newcastle. The league is out of reach, but fourth place, now held by Tottenham, is looking more possible. Klopp’s team are seven points behind Spurs, but the Londoners have played two extra games. A glimmer of hope has appeared as the chants of crisis rumbled like never before in the Klopp era.

Big wins before Madrid clash

The win over Everton was a boost, but the bigger boost came on Saturday, when the Anfield outfit won against a strong Newcastle side. Darwin found the net again in the Premier League seven games later; Gakpo scored for the second game in a row after scoring his first as a Red in the vital win over the Toffees. Salah didn’t get on the scoresheet, but he orchestrated the former PSV man’s goal. And Van Dijk was in the starting line-up and spoke after the win.

“Being healthy is the most important thing. It’s been a difficult six weeks, but I’m back. I’ll do everything I can to be 100 per cent ready for the Champions League,” the defender said. The win against Everton gave the squad renewed confidence. It’s still raining on the banks of the Mersey, but less so.

In lean times, Liverpool have added the promising Bajcetic to their cause. Gakpo has shown what he can do for the first time, while Salah, who had not scored in five league games, has scored and assisted in the last two. Liverpool have started to perform ahead of the visit of Real Madrid to Anfield on Tuesday.