The Kopite View

Positives For Reds Despite Another Draw

Liverpool went so close to winning their first game for new manager Jurgen Klopp against Southampton when Christian Benteke headed the Reds into the lead in the 77^th minute but an 85^th leveller form Mane stunned the home support and left them disappointed as they hoped the former Aston Villa striker’s goal would give them the win they craved.

Liverpool have certainly been consistent in recent weeks, but not in the manner anyone connected to the club wants as they find wins hard to find after drawing their 8^th game out of 9.

It has become a common theme to see Liverpool take the lead only to let it slip time and time again and Klopp mentioned after yesterday’s latest draw that the players don’t believe they can win at the moment with their lack of confidence.

There certainly is a lack of confidence in the team and it showed again after taking the lead yesterday with only 10 minutes to go and still not able to see the game out.

But although Klopp has many problems to solve, there were many good things about yesterday’s draw.

The team is playing with a lot more heart since Klopp’s arrival and no matter the result Liverpool supporters want to see their players giving their all and that is now happening with the German in charge and Moreno’s tremendous tackle on Mane highlighted the commitment shown by the players yesterday.

Klopp has inherited an average squad with no confidence and numerous injuries to key players but in his short time in charge he has installed a tremendous work ethic in the team and made Liverpool more solid defensively.

Liverpool looked more confident in possession against Southampton despite not creating many goal scoring opportunities.

Southampton are a dangerous team from set-pieces and apart from the equalising goal the only other time they threatened was van Dijk’s headed chance in the first half as Liverpool’s defence played well.

It is disappointing to lose the lead late in any game but there were more signs of encouragement in yesterday’s performance as Klopp’s influence becomes more noticeable with each game.

Just Like Christmas

Yesterday was like Christmas come early for Liverpool supporters as Jurgen Klopp appeared in his first press conference since taking over as manager from Brendan Rodgers.

The former Borussia Dortmund boss said all the right things and had Liverpool supporters buzzing with excitement. The major fact in Klopp’s signing is that this is the man that the supporters wanted and he is seen as major upgrade on Brendan Rodgers with his reputation and impressive CV.

Klopp has made such in an impact in one day and has unified the supporters already before a ball is kicked and his arrival could herald an exciting era at Anfield.

The German is regarded as one of the top managers in Europe and it is a statement of intent by Liverpool Football Club to bring someone of his stature to the club with many people assuming that the Anfield club can’t attract the best anymore.

It remains to be seen if Klopp can turn around Liverpool’s fortunes and bring success that the supporters crave but many believe that he can and his work at Dortmund can be replicated at Anfield.

It is just great to see Liverpool supporters walking around with a smile on their face again and that can’t be a bad start for Klopp’s career at Liverpool.

Owners Did The Right Thing At Last

So finally Brendan Rodgers has been sacked, the news comes with great delight to many Liverpool supporters but the owners must get the right man to replace him to make the decision worthwhile.

It’s not nice to see a manager sacked but it is also difficult to show too much sympathy when they will receive a tidy compensation package, in Rodgers’ case around £9 million.

The owners wanted a ‘yes’ man in and it didn’t work despite going close to winning the league a couple of seasons ago with Rodgers having his team playing some of the best football seen at Anfield for many years in the title run-in.

We as supporters enjoyed the ride that year and there is no taking away from Rodgers the impressive season he orchestrated, but he was fortunate with no European football to worry about and usually played just one game per-week making him able to concentrate on the league and able to play an unchanged team most of the time with the likes of Suarez, Gerrard, Sterling, Coutinho and Sturridge providing an amazing attacking threat.

But Rodgers failed to sort out his defence that ultimately led to Liverpool losing the title and the defensive frailties are still there to this day but Rodgers has also lost his attacking threat and losing players like Suarez, Gerrard and Sterling hasn’t helped but his money spent on new recruits has been a major disappointment.

The fact is Rodgers has lost his way and Liverpool needed a change of manager because the job became too big for him and his lack of experience working at a big club was showing.

Rodgers’ poor signings and failure to sort out his defence and struggles to score goals has eventually cost him his job.

The signs were there at the end of last season and the owners should have brought in a new manager then because it is not ideal to bring in a new manager during the season where he can’t sign any new players until January and has to work with the squad he has.

The news of Rodgers sacking being announced after yesterday’s Merseyside derby draw was another surprise, and it would have been better if the club waited until this morning to make the announcement.

However they need to bring in the right man and let him take control instead of bringing in another ‘yes’ man to run the team.

Most supporters would love to see Jurgen Klopp as next manager and I’d also love to see that, fingers crossed the owners get the man the supporters want.

Reds Dreading Derby

Tomorrow’s Merseyside derby is one that many Liverpool supporters are not looking forward to for the first time in many years. There has been little for Liverpool supporters to get excited about this season so far and a game against city rivals Everton is the last thing Liverpool need.

Despite Liverpool’s poor start to the season, they find themselves only a point behind Everton in the league table, but it is the poor performances that the Reds have produced that has worried Liverpool supporters and the lack of goals scored has been a major worry.

Brendan Rodgers is under immense pressure at the moment and most Liverpool supporters are desperate for the owners to bring in a new manager with most believing that Rodgers won’t be able to turn things around and don’t want to witness another poor season.

With names like Klopp, Ancelotti and De Boer mentioned as candidates to take over from Rodgers, supporters feel the time is right for a change and many want the change no matter the outcome of Sunday’s derby.

Everton have had a decent start to the season with some great results and performances like the win over Chelsea and last Monday’s superb 3-2 win and comeback over West Brom that have encouraged supporters ahead of the Liverpool clash.

Everton supporters are relishing the match and believe they can inflict more pain and suffering to the Liverpool supporters and Brendan Rodgers.

Liverpool’s struggles against lowly Carlisle and a poor Sion side that saw the Reds booed off at the end didn’t give the supporters much confidence ahead of Sunday’s derby and the only encouraging sign for Liverpool supporters is that form doesn’t matter in derby games and hopefully that is the case tomorrow.