Worst night of Klopp’s reign
WHO will stop them? In the hours after Arsenal had been skewered last week, the question was already being asked about Liverpool. Such was the imperious way they had swatted Mikel Arteta’s team aside, hot on the heels of a clinical dismissal of Chelsea, many believed Jurgen Klopp’s side were ready to run away with the title again. But Klopp is attempting to do something that only two Liverpool managers have done in the club’s 128-year history — win back-to-back titles. Bob Paisley managed it twice, while David Ashworth did so in the early 1920s. He might still do it. But the idea of Liverpool winning the title by record margins — or even retaining it — this morning is absurd after a calamity in the West Midlands. They were so bad Klopp could only laugh in disbelief. It feels wrong to concentrate solely on Liverpool’s failings after a magical performance from Aston Villa, for whom Ollie Watkins, Ross Barkley and Jack Grealish shone. Dean Smith’s side had done their homework, executed their tactics to perfection and could have scored double figures. But Liverpool were so inexplicably bad that their performance demands intense scrutiny. From the moment Adrian, the No 2 goalkeeper, provided the assist for Villa’s opener, the tone was set for the worst night of Klopp’s reign. Maybe it had something to do with the date. On October 4, 2015, Klopp’s path began to wind towards Merseyside. Brendan Rodgers was sacked that day, following a 1-1 draw with Everton and the German would be appointed five days later. Well, this was a performance that was in keeping with a bygone age. They couldn’t defend, they had no midfield and the attack was horribly isolated. Some players went missing, others were simply not good enough. Liverpool conceded seven in a game for the first time since 1963 and they cannot have one single word of complaint. The thing that will pray on Klopp’s mind now is whether this is a freak occurrence or a sign that there are serious issues underlying. Liverpool face their buoyant neighbours Everton immediately after the international break and he needs to find solutions. Take Adrian. Klopp is sketchy on the details of Alisson’s injury but the indications are that the Brazilian will be out for at least four weeks — some have even suggested it could be six — after a training-ground collision on Saturday. When Alisson got injured in the opening match of last season, he missed eight weeks but Liverpool managed to weather that storm. The defence threw a ring around Adrian. But history will not repeat itself. The more Adrian has played, the more vulnerable Liverpool have looked. His errors are racking up and being punished. It would be risible, though, to blame just the goalkeeper for this as several others were wretched. Naby Keita does not impose himself on games, Roberto Firmino’s form has been scratchy, Joe Gomez’s substitution was made to protect him from more torment. How they miss Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane and Thiago Alcantara. Those three players should be fit to play at Goodison Park on October 17 but, in this most volatile of seasons, nothing can be taken for granted. Villa Park was a turning point for Liverpool last season when they went on to become champions, with two late goals winning the game. Sometimes heavy defeats can be as significant as last-gasp wins. And Klopp must hope Villa Park will be a turning point for his team again.