Liverpool fans came together to sing “We’re so happy, Jurgen’s a part of the Red Army” for Jurgen Klopp during the recent match at Molineux on Saturday. Despite celebrating their fourth win of the new season, many questions remain about the German manager’s lineup choices and game management.
During the first half of the match against Wolves, Liverpool played sluggishly and lacked intensity, leading to an early deficit against the home team. Mac Allister, who usually plays very disciplined and tidy football since joining from Brighton, appeared out of sorts on that day, losing the ball dangerously in critical areas.
Klopp acknowledged that Mac Allister seemed fatigued after his international break commitments. Substituting Mac Allister in the second half allowed him to recover and potentially perform better in upcoming matches.
Mac Allister probably shouldn’t have started due to fitness reasons. However, Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp quickly recognized the issue and made adjustments to make a difference in the second half.
With a makeshift defense due to various absences, Liverpool needed a strong midfield presence to distribute the ball to the attacking line. Unfortunately, things stagnated in the first half, but the second half saw significant improvements.
Bringing on Luis Diaz for Mac Allister was a wise decision. The Colombian player, despite also returning from international duty, displayed better fitness than Mac Allister. Diaz’s pace troubled Wolves’ defense, making it difficult for them to defend.
Szoboszlai’s situations in the first half
Szoboszlai’s situations in the second half
Moving Dominik Szoboszlai deeper in midfield significantly improved Liverpool’s performance in the second half. Liverpool executed 49 final third passes in the second half compared to 30 in the first half. Szoboszlai played a central role in this change, with the Hungarian player having the most touches of any player on the field during the match. His ability to control the midfield relieved some of the pressure on Joe Gomez, who had to play as a midfielder during the first half.
Up to this point in the season, Szoboszlai is the Liverpool player with the most passes into the final third after five games.
Klopp stated, “Szoboszlai had the biggest impact on our game. Despite the first half not going as we wanted, he kept pushing and that’s his biggest strength. He’s a very intelligent player.”
Darwin Nunez’s relentless effort added another dimension to Liverpool’s attack. Although he didn’t directly contribute to goals, Nunez’s constant movement provided space and time for his teammates to exploit the opponent’s weaknesses. Regardless of starting or coming off the bench, Nunez is always ready to change the course of the game.
In summary, Klopp’s ability to adapt his lineup and the flexibility in Liverpool’s style of play were key in securing the win. Players like Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones dropping deeper allowed the full-backs to push higher. Andy Robertson’s role in the second goal was a prime example of Liverpool’s calculated approach. Robertson dropped deep after Jose Sa’s clearance and dribbled through the middle, eventually assisting Mohamed Salah. This tactical flexibility helped Liverpool overcome Wolverhampton’s defense.
Despite the constant challenge of conceding early goals, Klopp’s adaptability remains vital. Liverpool hasn’t allowed opponents to build an insurmountable lead, although their defense is currently problematic. Klopp will need to address these issues before considering further comebacks.
With Quansah’s recent injury, Klopp faces additional challenges as Liverpool prepares for its first Europa League match against LASK in Austria. Despite the difficulties, Klopp remains optimistic about the team’s current situation.
Klopp’s ability to find solutions and make in-game changes continues to lead Liverpool to important victories. With four wins and one draw in their first five games, Klopp’s Liverpool appears to be making a strong start to the season, despite the challenges they face.
