NEIL MOXLEY Back pain is Klopp’s Kop Achilles heel... he needs to turn it around before the fans turn on him
erratic Loris Karius are already under fierce scrutiny. At the back, Dejan Lovren (below, left) has as many friends as enemies. On his day he looks a million dollars. Trouble is, no one can predict when those days will be.
Ragnar Klavan was brought in last summer. But why, if the centre-back was so good, didn’t other German clubs try to whip him away from Bundesliga side Augsburg.
Then we have the mysterious case of Alberto Moreno – and the most damaging evidence against Klopp. Liverpool’s boss had much of last season plus a pre-season to lick the left-back into shape.
Even part-timers such as myself can see that the defender loves charging forward like a manic Spanish bull. But he is not so keen on returning home.
Why wasn’t Moreno (below, right) pulled to one side and reminded of his responsibilities? It’s not a difficult one to solve.
The very best left-backs such as Ashley Cole were defenders first and foremost. But they knew when to leave their slot. They were discerning.
The Arsenal and Chelsea man didn’t just think to himself ‘I’m off’ whenever his side were in possession.
Dave was also brassed off that Klopp hadn’t moved to replace Sadio Mane who disappeared on Africa Cup Of Nations duty, the claims of Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi discarded like a used tissue. What did he want? To sign Cristiano Ronaldo on a one-month loan deal?
But in giving Dave the benefit of the doubt that he was more a sore loser than deranged, there was one point which resonated loud and clear. In fairness, James Milner has performed well at
“He’s not sorted out the defence,” – one whine left-back but he was never schooled in that position. that hasn’t dulled with age. And he does not possess Moreno’s attacking flair
And while we can find more holes in Dave’s rant or athleticism. than there are in Klopp’s defence, he does have a Starting on Tuesday, Liverpool face Chelsea, valid argument. Spurs,p , Arsenal and Manchester City
This core problem eventually did for during the course of the next seven Brendan Rodgers. And the way it’s weeks. going, it looks like beingng the And unlessunle Klopp discovers some German’s Achilles heel too.oo. His defensive resolve, this season is backline looked exposed again headingheadin again towards one of yesterday in the FA Cup defeat efeat to disappointmentdisap on the domestic Championship Wolves. front. fronD Despite all the attacking
Statistics can prove anything. ng. But while Liverpool are the ver verve and domination of Premier League’s top goaloalpo possession, it doesn’t count scorers, only one side in the top for diddly-squat if you can’t eight has a worse defensive ve kee keep the ball out of the net record. Yes, that’s you, u, at the other end. Manchester City. Dave might have been a
The manager decided Simonn lon lone voice. Mignolet wasn’t up to scratch B But if Liverpool’s boss so he brought in his own man do doesn’t act, he will find more – but the credentials of the ec echoing the same. THE LA ST WORD... DAVE, a Liverpool fan, was outraged. Ringing a national radio station after the midweek defeat by Southampton, he called for Jurgen Klopp to be sacked.
With an accent that sounded more Thames Estuary than Scouse, it was difficult to know if it was a gigantic wind-up.
“He’s not a trophy-winning manager,” said Dave, overlooking the two Bundesliga titles Klopp secured with Borussia Dortmund.
“We’ve not won a game in January,” he went on, ignoring the fact that the month isn’t out. And that the Reds eventually triumphed over Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup.
“Everton are going to be overtaking us at this rate,” was another barb. The difference at present is nine points. Ten if you count goal difference.
Discarded Resolve