Lol, Liverpool fans I am not trolling you, but……….. handling pressure is not your strong suit.
Famously Gerrard slipped and they lost their grip on the title in 2014 and despite a reasonably big lead this season it seems Klopp is about to lose his……..
There is definitely a certain pressure from leading from the front.
I am also sure Liverpool have got themselves into a mindset of thinking about winning the league. Ultimately they have to break down each game and try to win each game on it’s merits. I am not sure they will be able to recover this thought process and if Man City go in front this week – can they recover?
When dealing with pressure there are two main areas we should be aware of. One, your focus – distraction theory says that doubts and fears take control of your focus. This means that relevant and irrelevant thoughts compete for your attention. Two, skill that have become automatic, all of a sudden grab your attention. Once you know how to walk or ride a bike you do not need to think about each little step and this is the same with your sporting skill. The focus on the movements puts players off.
For a team looking to cope with the pressure, like Liverpool, they need to have a group mindset and focus on each match. One of the dangers of the pressure of going for the title is your perception of the threat. I feel like Liverpool perceives the threat as Man City. Does this help when you are playing West Ham? Liverpool need to get their heads in the game they are playing in, do not get distracted.
It can also be down to individuals. It can be said that your personality will dictate how well you can handle pressure. A person who is more self conscious, anxious and who is afraid of being judged by other people is more likely to choke.
To combat this as an individual you can practice under pressure, have a pre performance routine such as a ritual, and to keep focusing on external factors not internal ones. This can be focusing on the team and winning the game as opposed to each pass you make.
Your checklist to coping could be;
Understand your limits
Set external goals
Visualise events
Be positive
Practice makes perfect, or at least practicing under pressure, will save you from choking!
