When Liverpool slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Burnley at the weekend it exposed more than just a predictably leaky defence.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
The Reds had got the season off to a flying start with a thrilling 4-3 win over Arsenal on the opening day.
But having stormed into a 4-1 lead, the Gunners’ late fightback left some Liverpool fans questioning their side’s defending.
The statisticians have been out in force this week pointing out that Klopp’s reign thus far has been underscored by a pattern of big win followed by a big loss to a less fancied team.
Last season Klopp could do no wrong. After all he had come in following the failings of Brendan Rodgers and was effectively cleaning up someone else’s mess.
This season, though he has had a summer to reshape his squad and has spent upwards of £70 million doing just that.
Klopp celebrates the win over Arsenal
Hero status must be earned
The enigmatic German was hailed Liverpool’s saviour. The man with the personality to finally elevate them back to where the club feels it belongs, the elite of European football.
It is so typical of today’s game that hero status is bestowed on a player or manager before a ball has even been kicked in anger.
That was certainly the case with Klopp at Liverpool when he arrived after a self-imposed six-month hiatus from the game on leaving Borussia Dortmund – where he had earned that legendary status over several successful years.
Has this season proved already, though, that Klopp might not be a living God after all.
Alberto Moreno with Klopp
Alberto More-NO
That’s the opinion of some supporters who take a more considered view on the goings on at Anfield.
Many feel Klopp has a blind-spot as far as Jordan Henderson and Alberto Moreno are concerned with the majority not convinced they are good enough to be the club’s left-back and defensive midfielder respectively.
One particularly irked Reds fan commented on HITC.com under the name Red Phil, saying: “He won’t change them until we are so far off the Champions League places by Christmas, he won’t have any choice . . . and by then we can forget Europe again next year.”
Christian Benteke has been sold to Crystal Palace
Reds in the black
What frustrates Liverpool supporters further is the fact the club – like every other in the Premier League nowadays – is not only awash with money form TV deals and full stadiums but also now in profit after selling Christian Benteke, Jordan Ibe and Joe Allen.
“We need a new LB and defensive midfielder URGENTLY but no doubt we’ll see Moreno and Milner (a right-sided winger slowing down more with every game and with poor positional sense at left back) swapping the role and Henderson struggling to look even semi-efficient in a defensive role that he isn’t suited for and also with poor positional sense in that role,” Red Phil said.
Klopp questioned
Cracks beginning to show in Klopp reputation?
“In the meantime, our defence – woeful, shocking – will get hardly any support as our inconsistency ruins yet another season for us. Perhaps Mr Klopp isn’t a living God, after all?”
Whatever your thoughts on the situation, are the first cracks beginning to show in what promises to be one of the most fiercely competitive Premier Leagues ever and one which boasts some of the finest managerial talent world football has to offer.
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