Liverpool legend fearful of one Everton star; wants Klopp to drop ‘ridiculous’ tactic

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Liverpool legend Steve Nicol is concerned that Jurgen Klopp’s ‘ridiculous’ high line will be exposed by the brilliance of James Rodriguez during the Merseyside derby with Everton, while speaking to ESPN FC.

Fortunately for Klopp and co, the Premier League champions have a fortnight to put things right after a 7-2 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa that has already gone down in English football folklore.

A week after Roy Keane took aim at a ‘sloppy’ defensive performance in a against a wasteful Arsenal side, Liverpool once again produced a defensive display more akin to Sunday League than a side with title ambitions at Villa Park.

And Nicol fears that, if Klopp continues to persist with a defensive line bordering on suicidal, the mercurial talents of James Rodriguez could be leading Everton to their first Merseyside derby victory since 2010 later this month.

“Regardless of who the next opposition was going to be, I’m questioning the backline. The fact that it is Everton, the fact that it is James…if Liverpool keep playing that ridiculous high line, if there’s one man who can stick the ball in behind with accuracy, it’s James,” said the 1984 European Cup winner.

“Absolutely, (the concerns are) in my head.”

The Colombian superstar truly is a master locksmith, capable of jimmying open even the most well-drilled of backlines; let alone an increasingly error-prone Liverpool side who conceded three times against Leeds as well as seven at Villa’s hands.

In four Premier League matches, James has already produced five goals and assists.