KLOPP’S PAINFUL LESSONS
MANAGERS often learn more about their teams in defeat than in victory... and Jurgen Klopp discovered much about Liverpool in their shock loss at Swansea on Monday night.
Klopp learned that Liverpool are still not consistent enough to mount a title challenge, despite going unbeaten in their previous 14 Premier League games.
Virtually the same side that was so dynamic in handing Manchester City a first domestic defeat was predictable and toothless against Swansea.
Klopp found out that the Reds still struggle against teams that park the bus, a tactic which makes his highpressing game redundant. Liverpool had 72 per cent possession at the Liberty Stadium – a high for them away from home this season – but lacked the guile to capitalise on it.
And they are still horribly vulnerable from set-pieces, despite splashing out a world-record fee for a defender of £75million for Virgil van Dijk (left).
The big Dutchman was at fault for Swansea’s goal, first slicing a clearance to concede the corner and then failing to head the ball clear.
Klopp (left) also learned he could do with a predatory finisher who would have gobbled up the chances missed by Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. He has one in Daniel Sturridge, but is prepared to let him leave this month in a sign his Anfield career is over.
Georginio Wijnaldum, who on Monday was unrecognisable from his all-action display against City, claims Liverpool must rediscover the intensity and focus they displayed during their three-month unbeaten run. “We had the unbeaten run, it was a good thing,” said the Dutch midfielder (above).
“We were 100 per cent concentrated and we were sharp from the first minute. That’s what we have to do again. We must keep the confidence and look forward.”
Wijnaldum was particularly critical of Liverpool’s lethargic first-half display and felt that cost them the game. The Reds improved in the second half and Wijnaldum said: “That’s how we wanted to play in the first half, only we didn’t.
“If you play the whole game like we played the second half, you would be disappointed not to win, but at least we would have tried. In the first half, we didn’t do what we had to do.”