Defending Premier League Champions Liverpool slipped to their second league defeat of the season against Southampton on Monday.
A 2nd minute Danny Ings goal was enough for Southampton to beat Liverpool in what was a disjointed Reds performance.
It was uncharacteristically sloppy from Klopp’s men. As well as that, they looked mentally drained. They’re not the only team to look drained this season.
However, it’s particularly striking coming from Liverpool, from whom we’ve come to expect scintillating performances.
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The fact that Trent Alexander-Arnold gave the ball away 38 times against Southampton is indicative of their malaise.
It’s an aberrant statistic in an aberrant game that will lead to all sorts of premature conclusions. With Manchester United level with them on the top of the table, questions abound as to whether the Reds can retain their title.
Of course, we draw too many short termist conclusions from small moments within a season. In mitigation to Jurgen Klopp, he played two midfielders in Henderson and Fabinho at center back.
Any team would be out of sorts in those circumstances. Especially Liverpool, who are without Virgil van Djik’s solid defending and passing out from the back. They have had to rewire their entire team and they are still the title favourites.
As well as UTD breathing down their necks, Manchester City look to be returning to form. Jurgen Klopp knows that he doesn’t have much margin for error.
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Klopp’s deflective comments after the game show that he is feeling the pressure. “I hear now that Manchester United had more penalties in two years than I had in five-and-a-half-years,” Klopp said. “I’ve no idea if that’s my fault, or how that can happen.”
Liverpool face Manchester United on Sunday the 17th. Depending on how results play out, it could be a top of the table clash.
