Nunez gets his boss out of jail...
Klopp serves ban and can celebrate
A FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION ban meant Jurgen Klopp could not direct operations from the technical area but at least he was able to conduct victory celebrations in front of the The Kop.
While the Premier League’s newest manager, Southampton’s Nathan Jones, learned why his leaky side are in a relegation battle, the longest serving had to rely on a mouthpiece and telephone to deliver his messages following his sending-off against Manchester City.
From his high vantage point, there was plenty for Klopp to admire — and a few things to work on.
Big summer signing Darwin Nunez scored twice to reach double figures for the season as he continues to adapt to English football. Roberto Firmino, left out of Brazil’s World Cup squad last week, ended his run of nine games without a goal, and there was a historic 600th Premier League appearance for substitute James Milner — only the fourth player to reach the milestone after Gareth Barry, Ryan Giggs and Frank Lampard.
On the debit side, keeper Alisson was kept busier than his manager wanted and the way Virgil van Dijk was left by Che Adams for the visitors’ goal brought a look of shock to Klopp’s face.
Discussing his enforced stint in the stands, Klopp admitted: ‘It’s not my favourite position to watch from, even though you probably get a better perspective. I saw what we did well and not so well and still couldn’t change it. The second half was the Alisson half because of the saves he had to make.
‘There was no chance James wouldn’t come on for his 600th game. He knows everything about the game and can set the tone. That’s what he did. I am proud to be around for his milestone.’
Jones did not let his beaten players escape criticism despite a plucky second-half showing.
‘We were passive in the first half. We just waited for the inevitable to happen,’ he said. ‘We allowed worldclass players too much space and conceded a really poor goal from a set-play. The positive thing was our response after half-time.’
Adams had already missed a golden opportunity with his head when Liverpool struck early. Mo Salah’s run saw him checked illegally by Duje Caleta-Car which earned the defender a booking and allowed Liverpool to score from the resulting free-kick.
Andy Robertson swung in leftfooted and Firmino, running away from goal, got the deftest of touches for a back header that landed perfectly inside the far post.
That was wiped out three minutes later. James Ward-Prowse, left out by England, whipped in a trademark free-kick and Adams got the run on Van Dijk to connect with his forehead. Trent Alexander-Arnold needed to be alert to prevent Southampton taking the lead, blocking Romain Perraud’s effort from 18 yards, and it was a wakeup call for the Reds. Gavin Bazunu made a terrific save after 16 minutes to smother a close-range shot by Salah but he was powerless five minutes later.
Harvey Elliott curled a pass in behind the back line and Nunez raced onto it like a natural centreforward and finished with a cushioned left-foot volley. Klopp said: ‘His movement was important. In our system he has to defend the left wing but when we attack he has to be more central.’ At 2-1, Klopp relayed a message to assistant Pep Lijnders to try to prevent another Saints recovery. The home side needed a third goal and Nunez’s back heel almost provided it for Firmino. Again Bazunu came out quickly to block.
Salah turned quickly but his shot deflected off Peraud and diverted towards the busy keeper. Daylight finally arrived with the third Liverpool goal shortly before the break following a fine move in which Thiago and Firmino combined to release Robertson down the left. The full-back’s low centre fizzed across the six-yard box where Nunez was perfectly placed to net.
Jones, hired last week from Luton, made a triple change and the Saints never stopped fighting. Alisson saved from Elyounoussi and then more spectacularly turned aside a point-blank Adams header.
The biggest cheer of the afternoon arrived when Milner replaced Elliott. Milner has played for Terry Venables, Sir Bobby Robson and Pep Guardiola. Klopp is in the same illustrious company and even when unable to holler from the sidelines, his players deliver the goods.
‘We’re a team and we look after each other,’ said Elliott.