Articles
Below-par Liverpool given Champions League headache
By Chris Bascombe, in Belgrade
6 November 2018 • 9:14pm
Andy Robertson warned Red Star Belgrade would be a different beast in their own stadium. Try Mickey Mouse turning into Godzilla.
Liverpool underwent the reverse transition, not only failing to tame the Serbian monster, but enduring what can only be described as a mechanical and mental breakdown in the Rajko Mitic Stadium.
This was Jurgen Klopp’s side suffering what they inflicted on others last season – surrendering to the sound. The 2-0 defeat means they are in serious risk of Champions League elimination. Defeat in Paris later this month would put them on the brink. There is no room for error in the group now. It was a shocking performance, probably the most timid of Klopp’s reign in a rowdy, unnerving arena where they had to be at their most resilient.
The German manager has spoken enough about a crowd’s power of persuasion. He had hoped his players had gathered enough experience to cope. As they trudged off at half-time having already conceded the defining goals – a furious Klopp motioning subs Roberto Firmino and Joe Gomez to prepare for their introduction – he had to acknowledge collective failure.
When asked went wrong, he remarked he had only ten fingers from which to list the problems.
The lack of character in those opening stages must have hurt most. This performance was the antithesis of everything Liverpool have come to represent under this manager. At their best, incisive, attacking football is complemented by that quality Klopp name-checks most before the biggest challenges – courage. There was none of that here.
Sure, there were plenty of defensive lapses in previous season. They have been infrequent even if they returned in Belgrade, but this was a more serious, undermining malfunction – a collective brain freeze. Liverpool failed to play any football until they were invited to tippy-tap in midfield in the second half. It looked a bit better then, but was a mirage.
“For us it was not clicking. We made life too easy,” said the coach. “We lost our mojo.”
Klopp clarified he meant on the night rather than generally, but a worrying trend is emerging. This was a third consecutive away defeat in Europe – Roma, Napoli and now Red Star. This team needs to reconnect with the good habits that preceded that run.
“I don't say it is already serious if you lose twice but we have to make sure it doesn't not happen again as the next game is an away game before a very difficult home game against Napoli,” said Klopp.
“It is too early to say how it is. We had a lot of moments when we could get in control of the game and we didn't do, it we just made the wrong decision. I don't think itis to do with away or home, it just happened. We will talk about it and change it, 100 per cent.”
Momentum must rapidly shift if Liverpool are to thrive again in Europe. It was no surprise Klopp refreshed the line-up – there was a demand for it - and starting Daniel Sturridge ahead of the rested Firmino ought not to have backfired so painfully.
For once this season, the defence that has occasionally made up for the lack of imagination in midfield did not perform. Even the energy was not there. Those who still wonder why Klopp has so much faith in captain Jordan Henderson witnessed how he was missed here. His return from injury cannot come soon enough.
Red Star looked a limited side when defeated 4-0 at Anfield. They were two up before 30 minutes this time, Milan Pavkov inflicting the damage.
He headed the first from a corner, sparking the kind of pitch invasion usually greeting last-minute winners. It betrayed the pre-match emotions of the host, who believed the throaty roars were needed to repel one of Europe’s best teams.
Hype about intimidation levels was not overcooked. The home fans nearly combusted with excitement when Pavkov pounced on Milner’s wayward pass and slammed in the second on 29 minutes – Alisson looking suspiciously Karius-esque in his failure to deal with an ambitious strike from distance.
Klopp was non-committal when asked if the emotion in the arena got to his players. That was telling enough.
“I don't know. It was a good football atmosphere. It wouldn't have been impossible to perform. It was only loud,” he said.
“The atmosphere singing wise, noise wise, was not a problem but the atmosphere after the second goal - the whole club – half-time it is along way to the dressing room.”
There were some first half chances for Liverpool. Sturridge and Mohamed Salah volleyed over from close range, but there was a lack of purpose as much as poise.
Inevitable half-time changes helped, as did what we must presume was the volcanic eruption in the visitors’ dressing room. The reality is Red Star invited more pressure in the second half and there was no penetrative threat.
Salah went close again a few times - including clipping the crossbar - but a fightback never looked likely.
All the conviction and confidence on parade by Liverpool’s front three in Europe a year ago was absent – and in truth has been for a while.
Red Star’s coach Vladen Milojevic said his team had beaten a contender to win this year’s Champions League. It sounded generous.
Rarely has a team looked so transformed between a matter weeks. That applies to Liverpool as much as Red Star.
Copyright - The Telegraph
6 November 2018 • 9:14pm
Andy Robertson warned Red Star Belgrade would be a different beast in their own stadium. Try Mickey Mouse turning into Godzilla.
Liverpool underwent the reverse transition, not only failing to tame the Serbian monster, but enduring what can only be described as a mechanical and mental breakdown in the Rajko Mitic Stadium.
This was Jurgen Klopp’s side suffering what they inflicted on others last season – surrendering to the sound. The 2-0 defeat means they are in serious risk of Champions League elimination. Defeat in Paris later this month would put them on the brink. There is no room for error in the group now. It was a shocking performance, probably the most timid of Klopp’s reign in a rowdy, unnerving arena where they had to be at their most resilient.
The German manager has spoken enough about a crowd’s power of persuasion. He had hoped his players had gathered enough experience to cope. As they trudged off at half-time having already conceded the defining goals – a furious Klopp motioning subs Roberto Firmino and Joe Gomez to prepare for their introduction – he had to acknowledge collective failure.
When asked went wrong, he remarked he had only ten fingers from which to list the problems.
The lack of character in those opening stages must have hurt most. This performance was the antithesis of everything Liverpool have come to represent under this manager. At their best, incisive, attacking football is complemented by that quality Klopp name-checks most before the biggest challenges – courage. There was none of that here.
Sure, there were plenty of defensive lapses in previous season. They have been infrequent even if they returned in Belgrade, but this was a more serious, undermining malfunction – a collective brain freeze. Liverpool failed to play any football until they were invited to tippy-tap in midfield in the second half. It looked a bit better then, but was a mirage.
“For us it was not clicking. We made life too easy,” said the coach. “We lost our mojo.”
Klopp clarified he meant on the night rather than generally, but a worrying trend is emerging. This was a third consecutive away defeat in Europe – Roma, Napoli and now Red Star. This team needs to reconnect with the good habits that preceded that run.
“I don't say it is already serious if you lose twice but we have to make sure it doesn't not happen again as the next game is an away game before a very difficult home game against Napoli,” said Klopp.
“It is too early to say how it is. We had a lot of moments when we could get in control of the game and we didn't do, it we just made the wrong decision. I don't think itis to do with away or home, it just happened. We will talk about it and change it, 100 per cent.”
Momentum must rapidly shift if Liverpool are to thrive again in Europe. It was no surprise Klopp refreshed the line-up – there was a demand for it - and starting Daniel Sturridge ahead of the rested Firmino ought not to have backfired so painfully.
For once this season, the defence that has occasionally made up for the lack of imagination in midfield did not perform. Even the energy was not there. Those who still wonder why Klopp has so much faith in captain Jordan Henderson witnessed how he was missed here. His return from injury cannot come soon enough.
Red Star looked a limited side when defeated 4-0 at Anfield. They were two up before 30 minutes this time, Milan Pavkov inflicting the damage.
He headed the first from a corner, sparking the kind of pitch invasion usually greeting last-minute winners. It betrayed the pre-match emotions of the host, who believed the throaty roars were needed to repel one of Europe’s best teams.
Hype about intimidation levels was not overcooked. The home fans nearly combusted with excitement when Pavkov pounced on Milner’s wayward pass and slammed in the second on 29 minutes – Alisson looking suspiciously Karius-esque in his failure to deal with an ambitious strike from distance.
Klopp was non-committal when asked if the emotion in the arena got to his players. That was telling enough.
“I don't know. It was a good football atmosphere. It wouldn't have been impossible to perform. It was only loud,” he said.
“The atmosphere singing wise, noise wise, was not a problem but the atmosphere after the second goal - the whole club – half-time it is along way to the dressing room.”
There were some first half chances for Liverpool. Sturridge and Mohamed Salah volleyed over from close range, but there was a lack of purpose as much as poise.
Inevitable half-time changes helped, as did what we must presume was the volcanic eruption in the visitors’ dressing room. The reality is Red Star invited more pressure in the second half and there was no penetrative threat.
Salah went close again a few times - including clipping the crossbar - but a fightback never looked likely.
All the conviction and confidence on parade by Liverpool’s front three in Europe a year ago was absent – and in truth has been for a while.
Red Star’s coach Vladen Milojevic said his team had beaten a contender to win this year’s Champions League. It sounded generous.
Rarely has a team looked so transformed between a matter weeks. That applies to Liverpool as much as Red Star.
Copyright - The Telegraph
