Don’t blame the fans, Jurgen; this one’s on you

Matt Stead

The first clue came moments after Liverpool started the second half against Swansea at Anfield on Saturday. When asked whether he would have made any changes to the home side at half-time, the response from Trevor Francis was an emphatic no: the Reds were doing just fine.

Considering the pundit had spent some of the first half asking why left-back James Milner, who retired from international duty five months ago, was not a part of the England squad as a midfielder, this was not company Jurgen Klopp should relish keeping. His Liverpool side had more possession, more shots, more corners and two-and-a-half times as many total passes as Swansea in the opening 45 minutes, yet they had no shots on target, no goals and absolutely no signs of inspiration against the Premier League’s bottom side.

So when the same players took to the field in the same system, and were asked to play in the same formation and style at the start of the second half, questions were naturally asked of the German. It is unclear as to how Klopp’s conclusion upon seeing his side fail to break down an excellent Swansea in 45 minutes was to change absolutely nothing. But, after a 3-2 defeat which leaves their title hopes in tatters and their top-four rivals smelling blood, it is obvious that it was a mistake.

Jordan Henderson toiled in the first half, registering the lowest passing accuracy of any Liverpool player (80.6%). Emre Can was even worse, having one shot, making no key passes, and completing just 19 passes in the opposition half – only Roberto Firmino had fewer. Between them, they lost possession 21 times; Swansea’s midfield trio of Leroy Fer, Jack Cork and Tom Carroll did so on just 17 occasions. The Reds’ midfield was dire against Southampton little over a week ago; it was even worse here.

It was clear that Liverpool needed a change, a renewed impetus. Klopp has shown previously that he can bring on the right substitute or make the necessary tactical switch at the perfect time. Yet this was one of the few occasions on which he was neither proactive nor reactive. It was only by the time that the visitors had taken advantage – Fernando Llorente giving them a 2-0 lead after 52 minutes – that the manager acted. And while the introduction of Daniel Sturridge for Philippe Coutinho helped Liverpool equalise by the 70th minute, it merely masked the problems that were existent for 90: the midfield which was offering nothing in defence or attack remained untouched.

Klopp is a manager who often relies on the power of positivity. “All of your energy is most important during the game,” he said earlier this week. But when the players were no longer able to ride the wave of momentum and support in their search of a winner, when the game recovered from its spell of collective madness, Swansea were the side who were most settled, most assured in their game plan, and most capable of accomplishing it. After the game, Klopp added that “the atmosphere was very, very quiet”. Expecting the fans to encourage the players is understandable at times, but not all the time; Liverpool needed inspiration from their manager in this instance.

He made a mistake with his starting line-up: Liverpool, the highest scorers in the Premier League, did not need two sitting midfielders at home against Swansea, the bottom club who have conceded the most goals. The German brought in Nathaniel Clyne and Coutinho, but did not change the shape of his Liverpool side, a side built to press and harry opponents on the ball. Adam Lallana was entrusted on the right side of the front three, but that negates his impact in midfield. Sadio Mane’s absence would hurt any club, but Klopp insists on the playing the same way without him. Considering their forward play is built around the Senegalese’s pace and ability to find space, it is no surprise it didn’t work.

Klopp complained about the lack of atmosphere post-match, and urged his players to respond. Perhaps the German should take some of his own advice. More tactical flexibility is needed in the future, or a potentially historic season will soon become yet another glorious failure.

 

Matt Stead