Liverpool's excellent 4-0 win at West Ham gives them a great chance of finishing in the top four. It came at a time when their season looked to be grinding to a halt.

Injuries were reducing Jurgen Klopp's options while an inability to break down defensive sides was becoming a major obstacle. Meanwhile, rivals Arsenal had found their best form and were winning their games in hand in style.

What happened on Sunday baffled many as it was assumed there was no Plan B at Liverpool, and the manager's almost slavish devotion to his preferred system was constraining his team.

It's easy to be cynical and claim change was forced upon the manager. Roberto Firmino was declared unfit before Sunday's match and Daniel Sturridge had looked threatening as a substitute in the preceding game -- a 0-0 bore draw with Southampton. The change was an obvious one.

Yet the solution to the dilemma was impressive. In recent weeks a midfield three of Emre Can, Lucas Leiva and Georginio Wijnaldum had looked to be all work rate and little creativity.

Pushing Philippe Coutinho back a little, the return of Adam Lallana plus two authentic strikers as opposed to three attacking midfielders suddenly gave the opposition a lot more to think about after weeks of the Reds looking pretty static. In the end, it turned out to be too much for Slaven Bilic's side to handle.

It certainly helped Klopp immensely when Coutinho had one of those games when a rumoured move to Barcelona seems inevitable rather than far-fetched. Indeed, there were several references before the match to him playing in the "Iniesta role".

Consistency has always been the Brazilian's flaw. Critics of West Ham's defence bristled as Coutinho glided past numerous players to slot home Liverpool's second and third goals, but that doesn't give the goal-scorer enough credit. On a good day, he cannot be contained.

The sudden emergence of a different way of playing and formation has given Klopp a great chance of emerging from this season with something to plant a flag for next term. Fans may well question why it took so long.

In fairness, part of Sunday's strategy was dependent upon the return to fitness and form of Sturridge. It has been a long while since either Klopp or his predecessor Brendan Rodgers could rely long-term on the England striker.

It had begun to feel as though Klopp had decided he could no longer keep trying to fit this square peg into any of the round holes available, especially when he was unavailable for selection most of the time anyway.

His preference for Divock Origi, once Sadio Mane's injury forced him out of the reckoning, added fuel to the suspicion that Sturridge was surplus to requirements.

That Klopp wanted determined pressing from his forwards was never in doubt, and few will be surprised if Firmino still returns to the side next Sunday against Middlesbrough.

Yet goals and creativity were in abundance against West Ham. Liverpool also hit the woodwork three times. At one stage, shortly after the game restarted, goalkeeper Adrian seemed to be playing the visitors by himself.

Can Klopp afford not to select the same side against Middlesbrough, knowing the already-relegated team will come to Anfield determined to keep it tight from the start?

When Liverpool were in full flow during the latter stages of 2016, the formation was cast in stone and had rewarded Klopp with an impressive 43 points from 19 games. This was clearly his Plan A. It was also felt Sturridge could never be happy being part of any back-up plan, even if such a plan existed and if he was ever fit enough to take part in it.

Sunday's performance merely confirmed what a healthy, in-form Sturridge can do for Liverpool. That was never in doubt, surely? His condition and suitability to Klopp's style were always the main anxieties.

Even after a 4-0 win there are concerns. Andre Ayew should have levelled the score, after Liverpool were once again caught fast asleep at a corner.

There were also times when Liverpool's determination to score more goals resulted in a more open game than was necessary. Had West Ham not had casualties of their own, they might well have exploited the Reds' gung-ho tendencies.

That said, Liverpool did keep the ball better during a second half when they extended their lead and the heat within the stadium wasn't conducive to the opposition chasing what looked a lost cause.

Klopp was either forced into a different way of playing or simply believes that at this stage of the season fortune favours the brave. At Arsenal, for example, Arsene Wenger's change to three central defenders helped give them a new lease of life.

However Sunday's performance came about, Liverpool fans are delighted the fate of their team still lies in its own hands.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by STEVEN KELLY

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