Liverpool face eerie parallels but Klopp knows which weapon to unleash

A home clash with Bournemouth would rarely be regarded pivotal in Liverpool 's campaign.

But for the second season running, Anfield may see another significant afternoon when the Cherries visit on Saturday.

There are eerie parallels to the same fixture last season.

Back in February 2019, Jurgen Klopp 's side had suffered a mid-term wobble, a Premier League draw against West Ham United meaning they had won only two of the previous six in all competitions while being dumped out of the FA Cup.

The Reds boss then called on the Anfield crowd to treat the next game, a rare 3pm Saturday kick-off at home to Bournemouth, as if it were a European night.

“Everybody who saw matches in the past knows how big an influence atmosphere is,” said Klopp.

“Whoever wants us to succeed in this game, and in general wants to help, I don't have the English saying for it, but it's like shouting your soul on to the pitch.

“We have to show it on the pitch, that we are really ready to fight. People in the stands have to show they are ready to fight as well.”

Anfield delivered a raucous afternoon of fierce passion, and Liverpool responded with a hugely impressive performance in a 3-0 win.

The kick-off may be even earlier this coming Saturday – a 12.30pm start – but don't be surprised if Klopp repeats his rallying call with Liverpool seeking a confidence boost after Tuesday's disappointing FA Cup exit at Chelsea proved a third defeat in four games.

If there has been no sense of panic or meltdown among the Liverpool squad, the same cannot be said for sections of the fanbase.

Spoiled by the remarkable run of results that have sent the Reds 22 points clear at the Premier League summit, the recent series of setbacks has prompted kneejerk responses among a vocal minority.

Few, in truth, are overly perturbed with the situation in the top flight, Liverpool only four wins away from their first title in 30 years, while a triumph this weekend would seem the create a new English top-flight record of 22 successive home league victories.

Instead, the concern is primarily the Champions League return at home to Atletico Madrid next Wednesday, with the Reds aiming to overturn a 1-0 deficit to reach the quarter-finals for the third year in succession. The sticky patch must come unstuck immediately.

And there are further echoes of last season.

Liverpool's run of three blanks in four games is their first such barren run since exactly 12 months ago.

Back then, they went into a weekend home game looking to rediscover their scoring touch ahead of a Champions League round of 16 second leg at Bayern Munich, having drawn the first leg 0-0.

Burnley were duly beaten 4-2, Bayern were dismissed 3-1 and the only other game in which the Reds failed to score for the remainder of the campaign was in Barcelona – which didn't prove too much of an issue in the end.

Liverpool's players have helped Anfield rediscover its verve over the past few years. Saturday is a chance for supporters to repay that a time they are needed the most.