UK Edition
Jurgen Klopp concerned with Liverpool's defensive failings in 3-3 draw with Watford
Never mind the mockery pouring from the home stands, never mind the telling light it shines on the absurdity of continuing the transfer window a month into the season, never mind the endless inquisition, it is not the probable departure of Philippe Coutinho that will be worrying Jürgen Klopp most.
“Did something happen in the match?” the Liverpool manager joked when asked the inevitable question about the future prospects of his Brazilian playmaker. “If not, then nothing has changed.”
The truth is Coutinho’s absence was barely noted as Liverpool’s forward line began the season by scoring three delightful, imaginative goals. At times in the second half, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah – who marked his debut by scoring and earning a penalty – interchanged and passed with a speed of thought and imagination that would unlock many more elevated sides than Watford. With Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge to come back in, creativity is not in short supply around Anfield; indeed watching this, Coutinho must have wondered whether he would get a game if he stayed.
No, Klopp’s problems are all at the other end of the pitch. In his 100th match in charge of Liverpool, here was ample evidence as to why he has registered only 50 victories, a strike rate significantly less effective than that of his predecessor Brendan Rodgers. There is only so often the tactic of ‘it doesn’t matter how many you score, we’ll score more’ pays off. Here Liverpool saw their excellent attacking work cancelled out by the concession of three scrappy goals.
Two of them may have come from an offside position, but how easily the visitors’ defence buckled in the build-up to the goals pointed to a fault line which will compromise title-winning ambition. Though Klopp did not believe that simply splurging some of the money made by selling Coutinho on a centre-back who understands the zonal marking system – Virgil van Dijk for instance – is the solution.
“We have to defend better,” he said. “We did wrong and what do I want to do to sort it? Buy a new player in that position? I’m not sure if that really makes sense. We have to work on it. We did well in pre-season in this situation. One player cannot sort out the set-piece problem for Liverpool. Of course it’s about positioning – do the right thing in the right moment on the right position. Today we conceded but we also did a lot of good things, so we cannot only focus on one thing. I don’t feel comfortable, but I know what to do.”
Whatever it is, he needs to do it fast. Because here, in his first game in charge of Watford, Marco Silva was able easily to exploit Liverpool’s congenital failings. Employing the muscular Italian Stefano Okaka to bully the visitors’ centre backs, his aim was to spread panic through the Liverpool backline. And, as Miguel Britos, who scrambled home the last-second equaliser after the visitors yet again failed to snuff out danger, admitted, that was done by focusing all attacking effort on the set-piece. After all it is a weapon anyone who plays Klopp’s side knows they can use to their advantage.
“Yes we knew,” Britos said. “Last season they conceded some goals from set-pieces. Maybe it is their weak point.” Sitting in the stands at Vicarage Road, the scouts from Hoffenheim, who Liverpool play in the Champions League qualifier on Tuesday, will have noted how easily first Okaka, then Britos bundled their way through to connect with set-piece deliveries. They will not be alone; putting it in the mixer will become the default tactical plan for Liverpool’s opponents.
Perhaps Klopp, if he really wants to help his beleaguered defenders, should spend some of the cash accrued from selling Coutinho on supplying them with tin helmets.