Yet, it could well have been different when Ramires put the Blues ahead on four minutes. So how did Klopp overturn things against Jose Mourinho at the latter’s once feared London slaughter slab?
TEAM SELECTION: Klopp surprised us all when he filed out a team without a recognized striker. Roberto Firmino played as a false No-9 as real top target man Christian Benteke sat calmly on the bench. This ensured a congested 4-2-4-0 formation, thereby allowing Liverpool to outnumber and dominate the midfield with six personnel in that department against Chelsea’s four, and sometimes three players.
Yes, they lacked cutting edge because of the conservative line-up. But it served its purpose to a very large extent in spite of Ramires’ early goal because Blues danger men Edin Hazard and Oscar were largely rendered ineffective.
Only Willian, Blues best player of the ongoing campaign so far, provided some threat and he was kicked to a pulp to the delight of many Reds faithful.
Benteke had reported very fit for the match and Liverpool ensured that info reached London in very good time. So you can imagine Mou’s surprise that the fit hitman was dropped to the bench after the Blues manager must have spent decent time plotting how to stop the big Belgian.
AFFECTING GAME FROM THE BENCH: Klopp was very involved with all the proceedings at the Bridge, coaxing, encouraging and barking orders to his boys. This was very evident in how Liverpool composed themselves and calmly grew into the game after conceding that early goal. A couple of weeks back, the Reds might have packed it in and could have gone on to lose by a wide margin.
But the new manager had vigorously stated why Reds needed to rise from little setbacks and turn adversity to advantage. And he was at his most encouraging best when his team fell to that early setback by urging his boys to “chin up” and play their normal game.
Whoever didn’t perform got an earful from the boisterous German while those who played well got more encouragement. Klopp was a very animated figure in the dugout, staying as close as possible to the touchline.
On the contrary, Mou sat impassioned in his dugout as if watching a replayed victorious match on a video!
PLAYING THE BLAME GAME: Mou has become boring by always looking to blame everybody and everything when things went against his team. After four minutes when Chelsea shot ahead, Klopp could have jumped up and claimed an “injustice” for an imaginary foul on James Milner in the buildup to the opening goal. But no, the German set about playing the match with his boys from the dugout.
On the contrary, Mou sat rooted to his chair after Liverpool shot into the lead in the second half with a Philippe Coutinho’s second of the afternoon. The Special One was probably composing mentally his post-match script of who to blame.
At 1-1 Mou and the entire Chelsea team and staff jumped up in hysteria, shouting injustice as Lucas Leiva escaped a second bookable offence. In truth the Reds midfield destroyer could have taken a walk. But so too could Diego Costa who cynically planted his studs on the chest of Martin Skrtel about six minutes earlier. Crucially, Klopp and his troop didn’t lose their rags and simply went on with the match at the time.
MASTERCLASS SUBS: Mourinho made his name partly for regularly making game-changing substitutions. But last Saturday, he was beaten hollow by Reds German boss Klopp who introduced Benteke when Blues defence looked to have tired. He later brought on young Jordon Ibe to frighten the tiring Blues further with his trickery and pace. Interestingly both combined for the insurance third goal. And that was after Benteke had caused panics in Blues first third, one of which led to the second goal.
On the contrary, Mou’s subs – Cesc Fabregas for Mikel Obi, Radamel Falcao for Cesar Azpilicueta – only served to weaken Chelsea. Crucially scores were still level when Mou showed his hands through those subs. Only Kennedy, who replaced ineffective Hazard, brought any semblance of improvement. The other two were ineffective and the Blues paid the price.
BOLDNESS: Klopp also won hands down on the bench for his very brave decision not to replace his midfield destroyer even in the face of constant persecution by Blues who wanted him sent off after his yellow card. That was a very bold call indeed, and one which paid off handsomely.
Conversely, Mou replaced his own chief destroyer Mikel who was also on a yellow card but in by far a less precarious situation to the Liverpool man. And no sooner did the Nigerian make way for Fabregas that Chelsea caved in and conceded the lead. They never recovered.
Klopp’s boldness paid dividends just as Mou’s cowardice failed spectacularly. And this and the earlier mentioned reasons are behind Liverpool’s impressive comeback win against a manager who had several times rubbed their faces in the mud.
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