As Wolverhampton Wanderers capped off the final minutes of Liverpool’s hugely impressive dismantling on Saturday, their fans responded to a long stretch with chants of ‘ole’.
In recent seasons it’s something Reds fans have often been able to inflict on their opponents – but those days seem a long time ago as a season of disappointment continues.
If a 3-0 defeat at Brighton last month felt like a significant low, then this 3-0 defeat at Molineux was probably worse. After all, the Seagulls are aiming for a top-seven spot while Wolves started in the relegation zone on Saturday.
This latest loss also marked the first time since 2012 that Liverpool had lost three consecutive away games in the Premier League. So far this year, they have conceded nine goals in four games and scored just one – barely ideal form with the Merseyside derby to come.
“We have to change it immediately in the next game,” agreed boss Jurgen Klopp.
“Everton won today and they are in a good moment so we still have to prove a point.”
The defeat leaves Liverpool in 10th position, 11 points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United.
Twelve minutes of misery
For Klopp, the damage inflicted on Wolves was self-inflicted with a dreadful openness.
The home side, energetic and confident from the start, took advantage of Liverpool’s lethargic start to take the lead after five minutes. Hwang Hee-chan was allowed in behind on the right and his drilled cross deflected Joel Matip into the back of the net.
Although there was an element of bad luck about the opener, terrible defending led to the second goal seven minutes later as Liverpool failed to clear inside their own surface, allowing Wolves debutant Craig Dawson to enter.
Those mistakes led to goals, but there were plenty of other examples of Liverpool’s misplay in that nightmarish start.
“We caused misery with the first 12 minutes,” lamented a frustrated-looking Klopp in the post-match press conference. “That can’t happen.”
He added: “In a match like this it’s not allowed. You can criticize us and judge us and you’re probably right because those 12 minutes are not allowed.”
Problems in all areas
Much has been made of Liverpool’s struggles this season due to their midfield, an area the Reds have failed to strengthen in either of the last two transfer windows.
However, defense and attack have also been well below average for this campaign, although the latter area has been significantly strengthened.
Injuries, of course, didn’t help, but Saturday’s appalling start is reminiscent of Liverpool’s performances at the start of the campaign – when they conceded the opening goal in five of their first seven games.
The Reds have now conceded three goals in each of their last three Premier League away games – at Brentford, Brighton and now Wolves – with the latest hat-trick meaning they have conceded more goals (28 in 20 games). ) than they did overall. of last season (26 in 38 games).
Liverpool finished last year with four straight wins so they have the ability to turn things around but need their attack to start scoring again, having managed just one goal in their last 360 minutes of football. Premier League football.
Asked if he still believes in his players to get back to the form that saw them challenge for several trophies last season, Klopp said: “I’m not losing faith in the boys but we have to improve and that is what we are working on.”
‘Sacked in the morning’ – can Klopp turn the tide?
Towards the end of Saturday’s game, Wolves fans took great joy in taunting Klopp with chants of ‘you get fired in the morning’.
It was ironic but Klopp is certainly facing the toughest challenge of his eight years at Anfield.
“For the fans to call Klopp the head is just funny,” former Everton and Scotland striker James McFadden told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Look at the job he’s done at this club. The season isn’t even over and they’re already calling it a disappointment.
“Jurgen Klopp is a brilliant manager, although it pains me to say it with my dealings with Everton, but he obviously has enough in the bank to turn things around.”
Liverpool take on Everton at Anfield on February 13, and a win in that game could give them the boost they need to resurrect their fortunes. Eight days later they host holders Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16, a repeat of last year’s final.
Asked if he believes in his own ability to make a difference for the Reds, Klopp replied: “Yes. Absolutely.”
