Jurgen Klopp Turns Conductor to Ensure Liverpool Overcome Sunderland's Bus
ANFIELD, Liverpool — Jurgen Klopp urged on the Anfield crowd, who in turn urged on the Liverpool players, who eventually got the breakthrough to see off Sunderland and get the three points they needed to maintain the pace at the top of the Premier League.
That the Reds lost Philippe Coutinho, their playmaker and maestro, in the first half meant Klopp took to leading the orchestra in the second 45 minutes.
Klopp's touchline antics midway through the second half, gesturing wildly for the crowd to get behind the team and help his players overcome David Moyes' proclaimed "double decker bus," saw the Kop respond to the challenge and help Liverpool's players through a difficult encounter.
"I believe in atmosphere," said the Liverpool manager post-match. "I think it's a big, big part of the game—part of the joy.
"I think the crowd was really good in the first half, [but] in the second half it was like 'come on.'"
With the score at 0-0 and Sunderland playing extremely defensively—the "most defensive team I've ever played against" according to Klopp—naturally the crowd were beginning to get frustrated by the situation and were eager to see the goal they craved.
Klopp's passionate encouragement from the touchline did the trick, with the breakthrough eventually arriving via substitute Divock Origi in the 75th minute.
"In a game like this, the decisions are made in the small moments, the details—atmosphere's more than a detail, it makes everything easier," he explained. "That's why I tried to remind the crowd and they reacted more than brilliant. After that it was easier for everybody to enjoy the challenge."
This was a huge win for Klopp's side. After Southampton last time out, a second consecutive 0-0 draw would have been disappointing, but this one would have been at home to one of the relegation contenders.
Home form is vital in any challenge for the title, and it was crucial Liverpool didn't begin to drop points to teams they should be beating comfortably. That they made it 16 points from 18 available at home this season so far proved they are a very different proposition to 12 months ago.
Origi
Coutinho's injury, confirmed post-match as being an ankle issue, combined with injury to Daniel Sturridge in the week, meant Origi was called upon and took his chance to shine.
The big Belgian has been a bit-part player this season, struggling to get playing time due to the form of Roberto Firmino and to find form in the small cameo appearances he's been awarded in the league.
Rather than slowly getting into the game, Origi made his presence felt immediately, riding challenges and offering a physical presence up front as Firmino moved out to Coutinho's position on the left.
"Timing is everything," said Klopp in his post-match press conference, and it certainly was here. Had Sturridge been fit he'd have been the player to replace Coutinho, but instead it was Origi who took advantage of the two injuries.
The eventual breakthrough was an expert piece of individual invention from the Belgian forward. He created the space for himself out on the left side of the area before firing a powerful, curled effort beyond Sunderland 'keeper Jordan Pickford.
Initially you wondered if it had been a cross, but replays showed it was clearly intended as a shot—and was similar in location to a goal he scored towards the end of last season against Stoke City, also at the Kop end.
Origi has been patient this season but came up with the goods, showing the strength in depth Liverpool have this season.
But that strength in depth is now to be tested, with Coutinho set for a prolonged stay on the sidelines, plus Adam Lallana and Sturridge both being out for the visit of Leeds United in the EFL Cup in the week. That Firmino also hobbled off adds to Klopp's attacking problems.
That means Origi will certainly start against Leeds, and it could even see 17-year-old Ben Woodburn—who came on in stoppage time for his debut—get his full debut for the club.
Klopp made 11 changes to his side against Tottenham Hotspur last time out in the EFL Cup, but cannot have the same luxury vs. Leeds with his attacking options depleted.
Coutinho's Injury
When the Brazilian collided with Ibrahim Ndong shortly after the hour, he immediately signalled to the bench as he clutched his right foot. Most inside Anfield thought it would be perhaps a broken toe for the two-time Liverpool player of the year, but images showed his ankle at a worrying angle and Klopp confirmed post-match that was indeed an ankle issue.
The Times' Paul Joyce reported that Liverpool do not think the No. 10 has suffered a fracture—news which could be good, but could also be bad if it means there is ligament damage.
Klopp joked that he's always optimistic about injuries and hoped Coutinho would be fit to train "tomorrow," but the manager made some optimistic assessments last season that saw players sidelined for much longer than Klopp had spoken about.
Until scans have been carried out and the results determined, it's too soon to know how long Liverpool's playmaker will be sidelined for, but it seems a very good chance he'll miss December's games against Bournemouth, West Ham United, Middlesbrough, Everton, Stoke City and Manchester City.
It's a huge blow for Liverpool, and Lallana's return—expected next week against Bournemouth—cannot come soon enough.
Klopp could also use Sheyi Ojo returning to fitness. The 19-year-old made a positive impact at the back end of last season but has struggled with injuries since the summer and is yet to feature for the first team or under-23s this season.
The knock-on effect is that Coutinho's injury, no matter the severity, is only likely to heighten the need to sign a winger in January. It was something already on the agenda due to Danny Ings' season-ending injury and Sadio Mane's Africa Cup of Nations involvement.
That Liverpool were able come out of the visit of David Moyes' Stagecoach inspired outfit meant Saturday was still a positive day. Unfortunately Tottenham were unable to show the same mettle Liverpool showed, so Chelsea returned to the top of the table.
After thrashing Leicester City, Hull City and Watford previously this season at Anfield, Liverpool showed another way of winning—thanks to Klopp's antics on the day, and his coaching of the players to find a solution on the pitch when teams set up only to defend.
It was a massive win for Liverpool, but slightly tarnished by Coutinho's injury.
*Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.
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