On the way to the curve of the Liverpool fans who had traveled with them, Jürgen Klopp raised his hands. The Reds supporters and the German coach have developed a unique relationship over the past seven years, which manifested itself in impressive celebrations season after season: Klopp ahead of the curve with the Champions League trophy, with a raised fist and especially with the long coveted Premier League trophy. At the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, however, Klopp did not raise his hands in applause on Wednesday evening, but in an apology – for a low point in his Liverpool era.
Liverpool FC lost 4-1 at SSC Napoli, given the disastrous first half that was more of a humane result that could have been higher. Klopp has often been favorably compared to the Anfield legends, but this time it’s time to look back – albeit a painful one: Liverpool haven’t lost a European Cup game so clearly since a 5-1 loss to Ajax Amsterdam in December 1966.
“It felt like they had one more man,” said defender Andy Robertson after the game. Naples was the better team “by miles”. Again and again the Italians had the opportunity to run at high speed towards the Liverpool back four, and there were hair-raising individual errors. James Milner conceded a penalty with a handball in the fifth minute, which Piotr Zielinski converted for the lead. Before the second goal was conceded in the 31st minute, central defender Joe Gomez allowed the ball to be swept away by Napoli’s offensive while building up the game, before the 3-0 (44th minute) he let Khvicha Kvaratskhelia play it out. Liverpool kept sending out invitations for more chances, and goalkeeper Alisson also saved a penalty.
Liverpool FC are dealing with many issues
Gomez was substituted at half-time, but it didn’t help much: Zielinski decided the game with his second goal in the 47th minute. Luis Diaz’s goal shortly afterwards remained a side note as Liverpool clearly lacked the energy to start a comeback.
In Naples it became clear how many topics the LFC really deals with at the start of the season. Nine points from their first six league games make for the weakest starting tally since Klopp’s arrival, but results like the 9-0 win over Bournemouth two weeks ago raised hopes it could be details that aren’t (yet) working. Napoli, however, refuted this theory and relentlessly exposed Liverpool’s weaknesses. Klopp’s concept that everyone on the field is responsible for everything failed because some didn’t play along. As a result, there was a gap between the offensive and the defensive, which Napoli repeatedly played with long balls.
The midfield was “not connected,” said Klopp: “It was the least compact game I’ve seen in a long, long time.” It was urgently necessary to “reinvent yourself,” Klopp demanded: “We have to get much better at pretty much everything. We don’t work together as a team.”
That was a remarkably clear analysis from the coach, who at other points in his career has liked to list numerous reasons for defeats in order to protect his team. This time he clearly criticized his players and himself, but it shouldn’t just be about tactical elements. 103 days after losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid, at times it seems like the Liverpool side have lost an important part of their identity.
Intensity? At least brought Thiago to the pitch after he was substituted for Liverpool.
(Photo: Agostino Gemito/dpa)
“Our identity is intensity” is the quote from Klopp’s assistant coach Pep Lijnders, which adorns the wall of the home dressing room in Anfield, although there is little sign of it at the moment. The protagonists are out of shape and more concerned with themselves, like Mohamed Salah, who stood out in Naples above all because he sometimes didn’t succeed in receiving the ball, even the simplest. Or they get questionably little time, like Darwin Nunez, who alternates with Roberto Firmino, who is also pale, and therefore has problems finding his rhythm.
Thiago clearly raises Liverpool’s level
Liverpool also have difficulties because Klopp has to adapt his team to numerous absences: Captain Jordan Henderson is currently missing, as are Naby Keita, Fabio Carvalho and the young Curtis Jones. Above all, hope is given by the return of Thiago, who came on for Milner in Naples in the second half – and managed to raise Liverpool’s midfield to almost the same level as before for half an hour. In 27 minutes, the Spaniard made as many tackles as all other defensive midfielders and centre-backs combined. “Until Thiago was on the field, I didn’t see any counter-pressing situations,” said Klopp.
Thiago is expected to return to the starting XI against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, but the problem of the many games will keep Liverpool busy. “I need time to think about it. It’s my job to find out,” said Klopp. In the midst of the dense autumn schedule, he doesn’t have a break to work specifically on finding his identity. Next week, for example, Ajax Amsterdam travel to Anfield after beating Glasgow Rangers 4-0 as leaders in Group A.