Rafa Benitez Knows How To Beat Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool FC

Posted by E.L.E.X on March 05 2020 under Sports

Football teams are struggling to rival Liverpool FC when it comes to skill, speed and mental strength…

This is why the squad has been almost unbeatable during the 19/20 English Premier League season and they are still strong competitors for the Champions League.

There is, however, one person who believes he knows how to defeat the “mental monsters”, which LFC have affectionately been called, and that man is the team’s former manager, Rafa Benitez.

Keep reading to discover how he believes football teams could potentially beat Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

LFC’s 19/20 Season Success

Most football clubs will find it hard to compete with LFC, who are dominating the Premier League and could potentially lift the Champions League trophy for the second year running.

While the caliber of sporting talent is high at the likes of Manchester City and Leicester City, it is seemingly no match for the Reds, as it is hard to contend with Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Virgil Van Dijk on the pitch.

Consequently, the team is set to secure their first League Championship in 30 years.

The statistics speak for themselves, as the squad has won 25 of their 26 Premier League fixtures to date, and the most recent soccer odds have remained in LFC’s favor throughout the 19/20 season.

While they drew with Manchester United in a Premier League game at Old Trafford and lost to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their round of 16 ties in the Champions League, almost every team will be quaking in their football boots at the prospect of facing the club.

However, Rafa Benitez, a former LFC manager, talented technician and the current coach of Dalian Yifang, a Chinese Super League club, believes he knows the method to defeat the talented squad…

A Solid Defence

Rafa Benitez recently stated that when his Newcastle United squad played against Liverpool, he found his players were not as fast as Jurgen Klopp’s side. It is, therefore, his belief that the only way to defeat them is to have a rock-solid defence. He did, however, add that defending for 90 minutes will be impossible, which is why a team must have a strong counterattack or they will fail to be perceived as a realistic threat.

Speed and Skill Upfront

Liverpool FC are currently enjoying phenomenal success, as most football clubs often struggle to get away from their intense and consistent pressing during a game.

Benitez believes that for teams to beat the likes of LFC and Manchester City, they must work on improving their speed and skill upfront.

However, it would take a talented football player to rival strikers Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, who are contributing to the much-deserved respect and trophies coming to Liverpool’s way.

Expertly Pass the Ball

Liverpool’s speed and skill could be preventing clubs from making their mark during a game, according to Benitez, as they are often better at passing the ball than the opposition.

The Spanish football manager believes Klopp has introduced the same tactics he used at Borussia Dortmund, which includes their high pressing style and the ability to expertly pass the ball.

He recently commented:-

“it just comes down to passing the ball. You will not be better than them at that, and they will usually be faster and stronger than you.”

Each time Benitez’s Newcastle United squad faced Klopp’s team, he encouraged his players to play with simplicity.

He stressed that when they managed to regain possession of the ball, they must perform simple passes to steer clear of Liverpool’s pressing, which could help the team to get behind them.

Unfortunately, Benitez’s plan was no match for Liverpool FC’s talent on the pitch, and he was unable to claim any victory over the squad, despite playing against them six times.

Finding the Perfect Balance

Benitez recently commented to The Athletic that:-

“Liverpool have the same idea as Dortmund did. The same system and the same characteristics of players, showing the same intensity, the same high pressing, and the same aggression.”

It is his belief that Klopp has selected players that have the assets and qualities to help LFC roar to victory, as he is seemingly replicating his success with Borussia Dortmund.

While Salah, Mane and Firmino are a force to be reckoned with on the pitch, and Henderson and Fabinho often dominate the midfield, Benitez believes the squad have found the perfect balance since adding Virgil Van Dijk, arguably the best center-half in the sport, and Allison Becker, a skilled goalkeeper, onto their books.

Clubs wanting to dominate the Premier League and secure cups in the Champions League, FA Cup, The League Cup and the Community Shield should attempt to replicate Jurgen Klopp’s squads at both Liverpool FC and Borussia Dortmund. However, it is vital to develop the personable, protective and motivational approach Klopp brings to his teams.

Rafa’s Managerial Success

While the squad might have changed considerably since Rafa Benitez managed Liverpool FC, he does understand what it takes to lead a football team to victory.

After all, he helped Liverpool to win the 2005 Champions League, and he contributed to Chelsea’s 2013 Europa League win when serving as interim manager.

The same year, he returned to his former club Napoli and helped the squad to win both the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana.

It is, therefore, evident that Benitez is a talented football tactician, who could have the answers to many clubs’ problems when facing Liverpool FC during a home or away match.

In Conclusion

While Rafa Benitez might never have enjoyed success over Liverpool FC with Newcastle United, he strongly believes he knows how the squad can be defeated in both the Premier League and Champions League, which the Reds could potentially win during the 19/20 season.

For example, clubs will need to work on expertly passing the ball, steering away from Liverpool’s intense press and developing a much stronger defense.

It might also be worthwhile studying Jurgen Klopp’s attack and defense to find the perfect balance in a squad and to secure victory after victory.