Jurgen Klopp’s trophy-winning ways at Borussia Dortmund were one of the many things fans loved most about him when he first became a candidate to be the Liverpool manager.
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The Brazilian was forced off after pulling up just 17 minutes into Tuesday night’s semi-final first leg at the Britannia and replaced by Jordon Ibe. It may simply be a matter of confidence but at the moment there are only the slightest signs that he can fit into this Liverpool side.
“They restricted space to good effect, the same as we do when we try to impose our tactics”. Also, the extension of what was already a long injury list is a concern.
The Reds overcame the loss of both Philippe Coutinho and Dejan Lovren to hamstring injuries to take a deserved lead into the second leg against Stoke City thanks to Jordan Ibe’s cool first-half finish. It left Liverpool with a makeshift central defense of Kolo Toure & Lucas Leiva, still it held firm against heavy Stoke pressure within the 2nd half. Stoke nearly level. Johnson motors down the right and clips in a lovely cross towards Mark Arnautovic who can only flick his header wide.
Victory, but at what cost?
Everton hosts Manchester City in the other semifinal on Wednesday.
Six of Klopp’s injured players have hamstring problems. As Liverpool began their evening with that trio pushing up against Stoke’s defence, there could not have been greater contrast to the sloth of Saturday.
Hughes noted his side changed style in the second half but didn’t get much luck.
Joe Allen – Terrific display, always busy, plenty of drive, battled well and nothing flash. He played inadvertent supplier for Ibe’s goal when making a hash of a Lallana cross from the byline. Although the ball bobbed about the box in a way that provoked anxiety among the home fans, the only real shot on goal was a swerving 25-yarder from Adam Lallana which Jack Butland, who has been excellent this season, saved at full stretch.
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But Ibe delivered Liverpool’s breakthrough.
