Klopp pumps up volume to break Black Cats’ hearts
THIS was one of those games that all those experts say is a sign of potential champions.
Liverpool didn’t play well but they still won.
It took a passionate plea to the fans from Jurgen Klopp, a freakish goal from substitute Divock Origi and a late penalty from James Milner but eventually they got the better of a resolute Sunderland.
It’s 14 games without defeat for Liverpool in all competitions and the momentum continues, but this was perhaps their least impressive three points.
It might not have been three at all if not for the touchline intervention of the German, who saw the crowd’s backing for his team wilting during the second half and resorted to a furious session of arm-waving and screaming to gee them up again.
It worked, too. Liverpool found something like their usual form in the last 25 minutes and Origi broke the Black Cats’ resistance in the 75th minute, before Sadio Mane was upended and Milner settled it from the spot.
“I believe in atmosphere,” said Klopp afterwards. “It is a big, big part of the game.
“Atmosphere makes everything easier. I tried to remind the crowd. They reacted more than brilliantly.”
Sunderland boss David Moyes acknowledged: “We got to the point where they needed the manager to get the crowd going. The crowd are certainly with the manager here which is great for them.
“We’d frustrated them for long periods. It was always going to be a difficult job for us coming here. They’ve got a great attacking threat.
“They’re probably the best attacking team in the Premier League.”
Moyes’s view of Liverpool was the polar opposite of Klopp assessment of Sunderland.
“I don’t think I have ever played against a more defensive team,” the Reds boss said.
“What I learned about my team is that we are able to beat even the most defensive team I ever played against. That is a nice thing to learn.”
Watched from the stand by the now unemployed Steven Gerrard, Liverpool’s uncharacteristically sluggish start enabled Sunderland, with their five-man midfield, to dig themselves in.
Roberto Firmino’s shot was comfortably saved by Jordan Pickford but Georginio Wijnaldum’s effort on the spin in the 15th minute required more of a stretch from the keeper.
Yet the most serious early threat came from Steven Pienaar’s chase of a high ball that Loris Karius had to scramble away for a corner.
Fir mino’s 25- yarder cleared Pickford’s crossbar by a couple of feet, Mane bobbled an effort straight to the keeper and Wijnaldum struck a shot well wide.
Add in some pretty awful distribution from Karius and some woeful crossing, and you’d have to say that in the first half Liverpool were unrecognisable as the team that have regularly torn opponents apart this season.
Jermaine Defoe chased a long ball from Pickford and was eased to the ground by Joel Matip right in front of the Kop. Ref Anthony Taylor showed no interest in the penalty appeals.
On the half- hour Liverpool suffered the massive blow of having Philippe Coutinho stretchered off, the Brazilian going over on his ankle.
Klopp said afterwards that he was waiting to hear how serious it was but was optimistic it wasn’t too bad.
Liverpool should have taken the lead in the 37th minute when Jordan Henderson’s free-kick found Dejan Lovren unmarked at the far post, but his header missed the target.
In stoppage time Emre Can also headed wide, Lovren drove past the post and Mane’s shot was saved.
Liverpool picked it up a bit after the break with Wijnaldum going close and Pickford saving from both James Milner and Firmino.
Klopp stood in front of the main stand waving his arms, demanding more from the fans, though his team had done little to merit it.
But the crowd were lifted and the players responded in turn.
Firmino’s cross somehow made it across the six-yard box without anyone getting a touch, Henderson’s free-kick was just too high and Jason Denayer blocked well from Mane.
But the breakthrough was coming, and in the 75th minute Origi picked up a loose ball on the left of Sunderland’s box and whipped in a shot that sneaked in at the far post.
Milner sewed it up from the spot in the 89th minute after Didier Ndong had bowled over the flying Mane as he streaked into the area.