Klopp gets wrong response to plea
When Jurgen Klopp called for more fight from his Liverpool team, this was not what he had in mind.
The Reds boss became embroiled in a strong argument with Mohamed Salah on the touchline during the second half of the avoidable draw here at West Ham United, which left an ugly sight.
It says a lot that it was Darwin Nunez who had to act as peacemaker, going into Salah’s path when the Egyptian began visibly protesting to his manager as he prepared to be introduced just seconds after the Hammers had leveled themselves .
For a side that has forged its success on the foundation of unshakable unity across the club, this was a rare and very public example of dissension within the ranks between the two most prominent figures of this Reds era.
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And it was a shame that such fire in the belly was not shown by Liverpool as a collective in Wednesday’s meek Merseyside derby surrender at Goodison.
Klopp was, as perhaps expected, keen to play down the incident afterwards, although Salah was slightly less circumspect as he passed the assembled journalists as he left the London Stadium after the match. Few would be surprised if there was more going on than either wanted to admit at the moment.
For those looking for explanations for Liverpool’s faltering title challenge, this disharmony was quickly highlighted as evidence of a side collapsing with an outgoing manager clearly out of patience after so long at the helm.
Of course that is not the case. The reason the Reds are now focusing on the few points still needed to secure Champions League qualification is due to their inability to convert dominance into goals since the return after last month’s international break.
That was on display here as they squandered a succession of chances, especially in the second half, to open themselves up for old foe Michail Antonio’s sucker punch to head in the equalizer and snuff out Liverpool’s dying interest in the Championship race.
But for all the increasingly familiar frustration of missed chances and needlessly dropped points, the lasting image of the disappointing conclusion to Klopp’s time in charge is now likely to be the manager and his best player gesticulating wildly at each other in full view of the stadium. and millions watching on television.
It will not be the permanent freeze frame among the Germans. But while there is rarely an easy way to end a long-term relationship, everyone involved can do better than this.
Lock has obvious problems
Recent setbacks have meant that the final leg of Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour has not quite had the significance it seemed to have just a month ago.
In fact, it has now taken on a different dimension as the Liverpool side are aware of the man they will have to impress from pre-season, with Feyenoord boss Arne Slot set to become Klopp’s successor.
Slot will know there is still work to be done to build on the Reds’ progress this season, which saw them overachieve until reverting to average in recent weeks.
And if the Dutchman’s template isn’t far removed from Klopp’s, his list of problems will be similar to those currently mulling over supporters.
Revitalizing Dominik Szobsoszlai will be a priority, alongside figuring out the best course of action with Darwin Nunez and determining whether to bring in a new defensive midfield.
It will also be interesting to see what Slot does with compatriot Ryan Gravenberch, who in his last two appearances – scoring on the left of the midfield triumvirate against Fulham last Sunday, and occasionally shining on the right here at West Ham – showed flashes of his potential.
Gravenberch is only 21 and has had a sometimes difficult campaign. But the Holland international will hope his breakthrough will strengthen him for the future.
Young people deserve opportunities
The desire to shake the Liverpool striker out of his stupor saw Jürgen Klopp roll the dice again here.
And this time he landed on a formula that had mainly been seen previously at Wembley as the starting three in the League Cup final victory over Chelsea.
In reality, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott all had reasons to be encouraged by their performances, especially Diaz whose direct running and pressing during the second half caused West Ham’s defense a headache.
Gakpo’s shot led to the second goal and although Diaz was able to claim an assist for Andy Robertson’s equalizer, his end product continued to frustrate. Still, it was a strange call for the Colombian to get hooked in the closing stages.
That win at Wembley was also an afternoon when Liverpool benefited from the enthusiasm of the youth, with Bobby Clark, James McConnell and Jayden Danns all lively during extra time and carrying that confidence into subsequent performances.
However, they have hardly been seen since the international break. And now that expectations for the remaining games have shifted, perhaps it is time for Klopp to give the next generation another chance.
Defensive concerns remain
Another game, another failure to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League. Since the dramatic victory at Nottingham Forest nine games ago, Liverpool have not been able to prevent their best opponent from scoring.
And despite all the legitimate discussion about the failed attack, the Reds would have achieved a welcome victory here if they had been able to keep their mouths shut during the closing stages.
Fingers will be pointed at Jarell Quansah losing Michail Antonio for the equalizer – the 21-year-old was otherwise largely solid – but that and Jarrod Bowen’s sloppy opener were further examples of how easy it has become to score against Liverpool.
This is not just due to the backline, but to the defensive setup as a whole, from the composition of the midfield to the willingness or otherwise of the wide attackers to follow back.
Liverpool’s greatest successes under Klopp have come from their defence. The incoming Slot will have to guarantee the same.