Klopp Gets It Wrong

I have to talk this week about those embarrassing celebrations at the end of Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with the club I support, West Bromwich Albion.

Liverpool’s early lead was cancelled out by two goals from Baggies defenders in Dawson and Olsson, both from corner kicks, only for the Reds to strike back with a lucky effort from substitute Origi in stoppage time. Celebrations ensued. Fair enough, but to the level it went to, with the Liverpool team holding hands in front of the Kop raising their arms in the air, well, what the bloody hell was that?

Yes, I have read all there is to read on it, it is a continental thing, it is a Klopp thing, it is a supporters thing, Liverpool are a special club who can do as they please, it is between the team and their fans, it is normal to celebrate in such a way after a late goal bla bla bla …..

Despite reading all that, it does not change my mind, and how I view it. An embarrassment. They could not break down a purely ‘long ball team’ in the words of Klopp, until deep into stoppage time courtesy of a deflection and they go and congratulate each other like that.

First and foremost, for me anyway, do not celebrate unless you have some reason to, whether you want to or not. The real talented sides would not dream of doing it. That was in my eyes, a celebration, and it was completely unwarranted. It made the Reds look extremely small time. There is no other way of looking at it. Can you imagine a Manchester United team doing that? A Gary Neville character maybe? A real winner. He would be ordering his players to get their arses down the tunnel, maybe after politely clapping the fans.

I do not give two hoots what happened in Germany. Klopp has to realise the unease that comes with such exuberant celebrations after failing to be victorious at home against anyone, let alone little old Albion.

It is not right for the players to be put in such a position by their manager either, and you could tell some of them were very uncomfortable with it. And the whole point of thanking the supporters, well I can tell you that Anfield was as silent as it usually is for the large part of the game. Hardly the great super Reds support Klopp was expecting when he joined the club. So what was he thanking them for, a few minutes of noise at the end? For not going home fifteen minutes early? For turning up to support their club in the first place? Who knows ….

The point, as I have laboured to get to there, is that should Klopp choose to do such things when the right opportunity arises. I am not against him doing his thing and enlightening us to his extrovert ideas. But not at home against Albion. Not in that particular situation. Liverpool fans currently see no wrong in Klopp, and it is great they have some enthusiasm for their club again, but can you imagine if Roy Hodgson or Brendan Rodgers had done the same thing? I am sure Liverpool fans will deny the reaction would have been different but there is no doubt that the whole team would probably have been booed off the park.

Celebrating failure. Maybe this is something they will have to get used to if Klopp allows and even leads his players to think their performance against Albion was good enough for a club of Liverpool’s apparent size and stature.

Oh, and next time Jurgen, be a gent and shake the opposing managers hand.

Here is my review of the top flight matches across the weekend.

Norwich City 1 Everton 1 – The home side could well have been four or five down at the break such was Everton’s first half dominance. They were made to pay though in the second half as the Canaries went on to pick up a point. Norwich are now without a win in four and have won just one game out of their last eleven in the top flight.

Crystal Palace 1 Southampton 0 – The Eagles have been ahead in games at half time on three occasions this season including this game and have gone on to win all three of those games.

Manchester City 2 Swansea City 1 – City’s imperious home form continued. They have won fourteen of their last sixteen home Premier League games.

Sunderland 0 Watford 1 – Sunderland’s resurgence has hit a problem as they have lost the last two games. An interesting statistic is that a one nil away win is now the most  popular score in the Premier League so far this season.

West Ham United 0 Stoke City 0 – No goalkeeper has kept more clean sheets in the top flight than Stoke City stopper Jack Butland so far this season on seven.

Bournemouth 2 Manchester United 1 – The south coast side look to have turned a bit of a corner following up last weeks away win over Chelsea with victory at home to the Red Devils. Junior Stanislas has now scored three goals in his last two home matches.

Aston Villa 0 Arsenal 2 – Ozil assisted again in this game (for Ramsey). He has more assists than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues, this being his thirteenth this campaign.

Liverpool 2 West Bromwich Albion 2 – The Baggies almost picked up their third win in their last five games at Anfield, it just was not to be however as Origi netted a late, late equaliser for Klopp’s men.

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Newcastle United 2 – In winning this game Newcastle won back-to-back Premier League games for the first time in over twelve months.

Leicester City 2 Chelsea 1 – The attention from this game will no doubt be on Chelsea’s demise however it should all be on the amazing season Leicester are having. They are top of the league and have scored in every single Premier League game this season. Good luck to them!

Premier league Table