Jurgen Klopp’s been great but he’s done a lot of things wrong too!
Following Liverpool’s deserved 3-1 win over Arsenal, there have been some supporters on social media that have implied that the attitude of the players is the only factor that has contributed to the Reds disappointing record against ‘lesser’ sides this season.
Wrong!
You really need to look at the bigger picture. I refuse to buy into the prophecy that complacency has been the only problem Liverpool have faced in this type of games all season.
Yes, it does play a part – but the fault lines run deeper than that. There are other debilitating cases that have led to our frequent slumps against lower opposition.
Against Leicester, the side looked like 11 lost individuals. Sadio Mane playing Candy Crush on his mobile ahead of the game really set the tone, but I feel the manager got it wrong at the King Power Stadium on many fronts, and he deservedly came under a lot of pressure.
And so, tactics is definitely contributing to our debacles against these sides this season. I do feel Klopp got his personnel and formation spot on against Arsenal at home.
The 4-3-3 has proved to be effective against sides near the top, as we seem to always be full on energy levels; therefore the counterattacking press suffocates sides at times.
But you could interpret this in two different ways. You either see your glass as half full or half empty. A large subset of optimistic fans would tell you Liverpool were back to their best. Or were Arsenal inferior in the first half due to the exclusion of the in-form Alexis Sanchez?
The problem with Klopp when it comes to ‘lesser’ sides is that he is not ruthless enough. I’ve heard people say he is stubborn, and I do agree with this to an extent.
Despite our turgid run of form in January which comprised of defeats to the likes of Swansea, Wolves & Hull, the manager remained firm when it came to his personnel and tactics. It’s admirable that he has faith in his own side, but the best football managers are always gauged on whether they are willing to rotate the side after a poor result.
For me, at Leicester, he should’ve either switched to a 3-4-1-2 or a 3-5-2. The latter would’ve been especially effective as Leicester, renowned for their counter attacking, would’ve found it difficult to do so. Playing more compact can also restrict the space for the opposition.
The wing-back too in Alberto Moreno would’ve offered superb balance coupled with tremendous pace. It would’ve given the Foxes something to think about.
Going forward, I think selecting Roberto Firmino up top was an awful decision. The Brazilian doesn’t add anything different to trouble the opposition – we’d have been better off with Divock Origi (even though he’s out of form at the moment). His presence can be vital for us.
The 4-3-3 has fast become too predictable and has consequently been sussed from ‘lesser’ sides. Emre Can at centre-back could give the German more confidence. What is needed is some ruthlessness and straight talking from the manager.
Can played 90 minutes against Man City, Sunderland, Man United, Southampton away, and Chelsea, and started against Plymouth at home, Swansea and Southampton. That is ridiculous for someone who’s carrying a calf injury. And lo, he underperformed there in January.
Late substitutions has also played a part. Klopp has been notoriously known for this since his tenure at Borussia Dortmund. He isn’t proactivate enough to notice when a substitution is required. Often, he makes them around the 80th-90th minute mark – often where the game is a lost cause.
At Southampton, first in the Premier League, Sturridge was introduced in the 78th minute and Origi in the 91st minute. Then in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final, Origi came on in the 83rd minute. There is a problem with squad depth but there are still players on the bench that can influence the game easily. If the gaps are plugged at left-back, centre back, centre midfield, winger (and possibly a striker) as well as a goalkeeper, it’ll become a lot easier to rescue games next season.
But until then, Klopp needs to be a lot more ruthless.I’m hoping he reciprocates his own words of not being a clown in the remaining 11 cup finals ahead in the season – if he can finally swallow the fact that personnel needs to be adapted in the games left against the ‘lesser’ sides, bring it on.
Over to you, Herr Klopp.