Klopp loves keepy uppy
JURGEN KLOPP may have grasped the English language with relish, but the phrase “having kittens” left him baffled.
When explained in basic Anglo-Saxon terms, it was what most of Anfield felt when Alisson ran from his box and casually chipped the ball over an onrushing Brighton forward, Klopp’s face transforms into that familiar beaming grin.
“Ah, I am familiar with that phrase but no I wasn’t feeling it. It was not showing off. It was the right decision in that moment,” the Reds boss said of his keeper.
“If he shoots there could be a block so he chips the ball and it is all good. Obviously nobody is really used to that and that’s why there was this surprise [from the fans]. I didn’t do that – but of course there was a different heart-rate at that moment!”
Welcome to the new Liverpool. They have a keeper the fans believe in, and are prepared to indulge and support, even when he produces heart-stopping moments by dribbling, and chipping, around forwards in the final minutes.
As Alisson himself said afterwards, it is part of the Reds’ DNA. They pass the ball at all times, and sometimes that means gambling a little. “It could be too risky, but it’s part of the game,” he said.
“We are a team that plays from the back with the ball on the a then world-record £66.8m fee, but his other characteristics have been more prominent. On Saturday, it was his ability to relieve the pressure as Liverpool defended their 1-0 lead – provided by a brilliant Mo Salah finish – that stood out. As Klopp said, last season his team would have conceded from a string of late Brighton corners, but here, the new keeper came and punched or caught everything. He also provided a calm outlet at the back – though one moment when he was almost robbed by Glenn Murray again had those kittens dancing. But Klopp added: “Too often we put Alisson in a situation where we needed him by playing back passes in the wrong moments. He cannot be the main solution in the last 10 minutes. That makes no sense.” Brighton showed great resilience with a totally different performance to the one that blew Manchester United away. Boss Chris Hughton said: “Going away’s difficult so if you want to play a bit more aggressive and expansive, you’ve more chance of doing that at home against the big teams than away.”
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Booked: NEXT UP: