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It hasn’t been your usual happy smile lately, has it?
Like all great managers, Jurgen Klopp is not a big loser. Liverpool’s recent results have not been disastrous, but not great either. They had only won one in four in all competitions before the clash with Ajax.
But that wasn’t even really. Klopp’s frustration was not with his own players or performances, but with things beyond his control. He wanted five subs, he couldn’t have them. Above all, I wanted to stop being, as he saw it, pissed off by the broadcasters and forced to play at 12.30pm on Saturday after Wednesday’s Champions League matches.
Whatever validity or not you may think your arguments have, clearly everything was irritating you. Only he will really know what role he played in some slightly dubious results. I was distracted? Which came first, the chicken or the meaty food? Did a couple of disappointing results fuel your anger or Did your anger fuel a couple of dubious results??
Either way, there were multiple reasons for Jurgen to be cheerful again on Tuesday night. Tuesday instead of Wednesday, to begin with. And they don’t play again until Sunday. And then Wednesday. And then Sunday again. In 2020/21 terms, that’s very straightforward.
Tuesday night was good for Klopp because things beyond his control turned out well for him too. If he I got the call from the great doorman Spot on and you will rightly be delighted by it. Yes, Curtis Jones continued his very encouraging development. And Liverpool won their game. All lovely, all good news for Klopp.
But the uncontrollable also fell in his way. I would have expected to beat Ajax at home, although knowing it would be difficult. I wouldn’t have expected Atalanta to lose points at home to Midtjylland. That’s really a huge advantage outside of Klopp’s control.
It means that Liverpool have now not only reached the round of 16, but will surely do so as a group winner. That makes next Wednesday night as stress-free as a Champions League night can be and a crucial time before the onslaught of games at Christmas.
Everything basically looks a lot more optimistic for Liverpool than before Tuesday night. There was an easy negative twist to put things before Jones’ winner; Liverpool were looking for a one win out of five streak with the Champions League qualification in the balance in a streak of busy games.
They are now assured top spot in the Champions League and a solid streak of form with just one loss in 11 matches.
Given that both scenarios involved Liverpool staying out of first place in the Premier League only on goal difference and only because of a team with pride and a long history of doing a lot of things, there really are many reasons to be joyful in Anfield even a season where things have not gone as wonderfully well as last time. There is still not a club in the country that does not swap positions with Liverpool in a flash.
Come on, Jurgen. Give us a smile.
Dave tickner
Life begins at 30. So did this group in the Premier League. Have we missed some gold classics?
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