On our day we have the matching of teams like Spurs, City, Chelsea. Easily. From Hendo forward we are a machine; behind him, though, and it's shambolic. To have conceded more away goals than Palace, fucking Palace and that face-rubbing owl prick, is an embarrassment. Judging by his actions and expressions, I have a feeling that today was the final straw for Klopp. But in among the gloom there is hope.
Joe Gomez's composed, assured display once he went to centre back with Harry Kane breathing down his neck was a glimmer of a possible short term resolution. One great example; being pressed close to the touchline, a simple bit of composed nimble footwork and he dealt with the situation. A polar opposite to the petrified, erratic and downright idiotic performance of a supposedly experienced international footballer who was entirely intimidated by even the sight of Kane in the tunnel. Once his worst fears had materialised in the third minute, Lovren's head predictably went. Klopp hooking him was probably the best bit of management I've seen from him so far; it was the strongest message possible, that weak minds are not wanted in a battle against a good team. Any talk of injury will be protectionist bollocks.
Albie Moreno didn't really put a foot wrong, he did what was asked of him and was a pest for Spurs to deal with at times. Yet he'll no doubt incur the wrath of some who are looking for a scapegoat. He shouldn't. But Joel Matip is increasingly becoming a problem. He's losing confidence and becoming infected with the virus of mistakes that is rife in defence. A good player turning bad. Similarly, we see Simon Mignolet making rushed, erratic decisions, knowing the old mistakes are creeping in again, the confidence is dipping, the inevitable is happening again. One rushed over-stretched punch, bang and it's in again. The look that Hendo gave him while Kane was off celebrating, the one filled with truly murderous intent, spoke volumes. It's starting, again...
This is a team on a precipice. This is a team in need of an overhaul. If Klopp is now going to say 'enough is enough', Dejan Lovren needs dropping, then selling in January ideally. I'm sure he would probably do a good job in China or Qatar. But he's stealing a living in our first eleven and restricting the development of a good prospect. He could also reward Karius with some solid Champions League displays by giving him a crack in the Premier League, or even Danny Ward the chance to prove himself. It'll give Mignolet the fire and anger he needs to inspire him back to where we know he can be. He needs to trust Gini Wijnaldum rather than persevere with the limitations of James Milner. He needs to give the Ox a start. He needs to use his squad more; Trent could have came into his own in this one today, rather than sticking with Emre Can at right back, on a yellow card, and being left for dead by nutmegs then being unable to tackle for fear of another red card. So many options where we could have instigated positive change within the match, but we're limited to late, ineffective subs - how must Studge feel being given 15 minutes when you're already 4-1 down? Way to boost his confidence, when we can already see it's on the floor.
But all of these issues, mistakes, decisions, lay at the door of the manager. Klopp needs to change things, before he ends up being the one being changed. Enough is enough.
