We’re sure you’ve read plenty of where it went wrong last night for the Reds against Southampton because, unfortunately, there was a great deal of aspects where things simply didn’t work.
And, whilst we don’t want to over-saturate you with downbeat discussion over how the team could have done this and how Klopp should have done that, we do feel there’s one point that is perhaps more prominent than most.
Put simply, had Rafa Benitez been in charge last night, we’d be looking forward to a final today.
Now, it’s easy to dismiss this as a piece dedicated to the hypothetical where, of course, had certain things happened we’d have won the game and so on, but what we’re getting at is the fact that Jurgen Klopp sometimes needs to reign things in.
The German manager is as passionate about football as you can be – that’s why so many connected with our club think he’s the perfect fit for us but it’s also why we lost the game last night.
Everything in the build up to this one was about wanting it more, the crowd being loud and going straight for the jugular from the first whistle from the German’s end – there was no real discussion of tactics.
The more measured and, perhaps, even boring Claude Puel, meanwhile, did little to add fuel to the flames for the contest and, as it proved, spent more time in front of the tactics board than Jurgen did for this one.
Southampton’s game plan was superb and as the Reds barreled forward with no real penetration or plan, they could have put the game to bed on the break on a number of occasions.
The Reds were flustered and never really looked that threatening and, as they tailed off, the Saints delivered the sucker punch.
Puel is a man much like Benitez and had the two met yesterday, we’re in no doubt the result would have been different.
The Spanish manager always came across as the iceman in these situations. The calming anchor that wanted the crowd to be loud but wouldn’t get fired up if it wasn’t – calmly and meticulously planning an approach to win a game like this.
So often did the Reds come from behind in a first leg under Benitez as his methods came out in our performances on the pitch, just as Klopp’s raw passion came out in a rushed display last night.
We’re still confident we’ll have success under Jurgen but we can’t help but feel that sometimes, on a night like last night, he needs to take a leaf out of Rafa’s book and let the quietness of planning take control, not the cacophony of full-throttle football.
What are your thoughts, Reds? Let us know below!
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