Liverpool and Klopp’s headaches
Things need to change sooner rather than later
Liverpool’s recent performance against Brighton and Wolves were nothing short of disastrous. They were completely demolished by Brighton and it was clear that the opposing team had done their research on Liverpool and knew exactly where to exploit their weaknesses.
They are lacking that instinct which was clearly visible in their 2–2 draw with Wolves, and they were lucky to get away with some offsides. The offside rule is crazy in the first place and it’s implemented in a really weird way. But despite getting away with that, Liverpool will be frustrated with the fact that they have to go back to another set of fixture pileups not even halfway through the season in the Premier League yet.
When Jurgen Klopp first came to Liverpool, he was encouraging them to be instinctive and play from a place where it never really seemed like they had to think. They were always a step ahead of the opposition, and it always felt like it was the right thing to do in that moment. When Liverpool truly went to a few of their peaks, it was because they often like to play with an instinct and so a lot of the players within this side had passes that they knew would always be on, had people that they knew would always be in certain positions and also instinct to look in certain places not only when pressing but also when trying to get a little pass through. But now with the integration of new players and positions, the team looks disjointed and there is almost a tangible frustration about the team when you look at them that they aren’t able to play with that what most people might describe as a flow state.
The performance against Brighton was unacceptable and the issues on the field are obvious. The frustration for Liverpool fans who traveled to the game is palpable and it’s clear that there are some issues that need to be addressed by Jurgen Klopp and his staff. The players on the field lacked an edge and the mentality as well as knowledge of where they were meant to be within the team.
Brighton also knew exactly what Liverpool were going to do and it was read so well by deserved. It was not only that they won it in the margins of like the one two percent here or there, but it was a huge swathe of space for them to get into. There were huge opportunities for Brighton to score, and Liverpool didn’t create any meaningful chances. Brighton made huge moves and it was really impressive to see where they were going with the ball. And you can see they’re clearly a better football inside than Liverpool but that shouldn’t mean anything. If Brighton can make the signings that they have and play in that way then there should be no excuses to why Liverpool can’t make the same signings.
Klopp believed that what gets the best out of a naturally technically brilliant player is for them to be instinctive, and when Liverpool truly went to a few of their peaks, they were playing with that instinct. But now, they are a side that looks a little disjointed because of that. You can see there is almost a tangible frustration about the team when you look at them, that they aren’t able to play with that flow state that they once had.
Integrating new players like Nunez, Gakpo, Luis Diaz, and even Thiago, has been difficult for Liverpool. Each of these players is not quite the Monet type, and it’s clear that they are still trying to find their footing in the team. As a result, Liverpool often looks disjointed and frustrated on the field, and it’s clear that they are still trying to find their footing. But if anybody can do it, then we know its Klopp.
