THE JURY IS OUT ON KLOPP’S DEFENCE
AS JURGEN Klopp turned his thoughts towards Hoffenheim, he confessed there were no guarantees about ending the set-piece chaos which is blighting Liverpool.
The same old problem was there at Watford when two goals were conceded from corners, including the last-gasp equaliser. It sparked another inquest on the perils of zonal marking and the need for better defenders.
‘It happened to us last year,’ said Klopp. ‘It’s not about one player. One player cannot sort out the set-piece problem for Liverpool.
‘We have to defend better. Yes, we did wrong and what do I want to do to sort it? Buy a new player? I’m not sure if that makes sense.’
Despite last season’s fourth place and a return to the Champions League, doubts are beginning to surface about the substance behind Klopp’s charisma.
The start of this season may mark the end of the Klopp honeymoon as football’s high-profile Scousers sharpen their criticism.
Two-one down, and Jamie Carragher branded the defending a ‘shambles’. ‘You’ve had pre-season and nothing’s changed,’ he said. ‘What have they worked on?’
Joey Barton told radio listeners he was ‘not buying the Klopp aura’ and dismissed him as a ‘giant German cheerleader’.
Watford boss Marco Silva has certainly found Liverpool’s weakness and others will study his success as they seek to do the same.
At Hull, Silva beat Liverpool 2-0 in February: one from a corner and another on the break as Klopp’s team over-committed in search of a way back. On Saturday, his team scored from two corners. Stefano Okaka bullied the visitors in the first half, burying a header without challenge. Miguel Britos equalised with a header in the third minute of added time, which should have been ruled out for offside but wasn’t. Watford’s other goal, the second, scored by Abdoulaye Doucoure, came via a throw-in on the right. Again, there was a case for offside. Again, the defending was careless. Again, Liverpool’s defenders were devoid of protection.
Going forward, they have pace, energy and creative force even with Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana injured, and the uncertain future of Philippe Coutinho.
Sadio Mane struck first, Roberto Firmino converted a penalty and Mohamed Salah had a tap-in.
Success this season will hinge on Klopp’s ability to solve the problems at the back, however, and provide the solidity to ensure the efforts of his attacking stars are not wasted. The next game comes quickly, a Champions League playoff at Hoffenheim tomorrow. SUPER STAT: Sadio Mane has scored five goals in his last seven Premier League games. WATFORD (4-2-3-1): Gomes 5; Janmaat 5.5 (Femenia 18min, 5), Kaboul 6, Britos 6, Holebas 5.5; Doucoure 7, Chalobah 6; Amrabat 6.5, Cleverley 6.5, Pereyra 6.5 (Richarlison 49, 6.5); Okaka 7 (Gray 63, 5). Subs not used: Pantilimon, Prodl, Capoue, Watson. Scorers: Okaka 8, Doucoure 32, Britos 90. Manager: Marco Silva 6. LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Mignolet 5; AlexanderArnold 6 (Gomez 90), Lovren 6, Matip 5, Moreno 5; Can 6.5, Henderson 6, Wijnaldum 6; Mane 7, Firmino 7.5 (Origi 81), Salah 7 (Milner 86). Subs not used: Karius, Grujic, Klavan, Solanke. Scorers: Mane 29, Firmino 55 pen, Salah 57. Booked: Mane, Alexander-Arnold, Mignolet. Manager: Jurgen Klopp 6. Man of the match: Roberto Firmino. Referee: Anthony Taylor 5.5. Attendance: 20,407.