Liverpool's week from hell leaves Klopp facing miserable end

The German manager experienced success by winning the Carabao Cup in February, but his final season with the team faces the risk of disappointment following a string of poor results.

Similar to David Moyes' critique of Manchester United over a decade ago, Liverpool's left-back Andy Robertson recently provided a candid assessment of the team's current struggles. He acknowledged the team's defensive vulnerabilities and the lack of goal-scoring prowess as significant concerns.

Robertson emphasized the importance of keeping clean sheets for achieving success but highlighted the team's recent struggles in that area. He pointed out the need for the forwards to convert their chances effectively and for the defenders to minimize errors. However, he recognized that addressing these issues is not straightforward and cannot be solved solely by the manager's actions.

The brutal bottom line, though, is that Liverpool are going through the worst period of their season at the worst possible time, suffering from a collective loss of confidence and conviction that the manager can't quite explain - let alone fix. Indeed, after Klopp's week from hell, there's now a very real fear that a nine-year tenure full of so many unforgettable highs is going to end on a bitterly disappointing low.

Like a catastrophe

Following Liverpool's disappointing draw against Manchester United on April 7, which came shortly after their FA Cup elimination at the hands of the same opponent, Jurgen Klopp attempted to downplay the significance of these setbacks against Erik ten Hag's struggling team.

While Klopp had previously acknowledged his team's physical struggles during the extra-time period of the cup quarter-final, he also recognized the potential psychological impact of failing to secure victories against their arch-rivals in quick succession.

Speaking to reporters at Anfield, Klopp expressed uncertainty about whether their approach to the Manchester United matches had been beneficial. He described the cup defeat as a significant blow, given Liverpool's strong performance, and acknowledged the disappointment of only managing a draw in the league encounter.

Unfortunately, the situation worsened thereafter, adding to the team's frustration and raising questions about their ability to bounce back from these setbacks.

Wheels have fallen of

Just four days following a frustrating 2-2 draw in Manchester, Liverpool suffered a significant setback with a comprehensive defeat to Atalanta at Anfield. Former player Steve McManaman described the team's performance as indicative of "the wheels falling off" Klopp's once-dominant side.

Klopp's tactical decisions came under scrutiny, as he made six changes to the lineup from the previous match against Old Trafford. Atalanta capitalized on this adjustment, exploiting gaps in the Liverpool midfield to assert dominance in the first half.

Despite attempts to rectify the situation by introducing key players like Mohamed Salah in the second half, Liverpool found themselves conceding two more goals, sealing a resounding 3-0 victory for the visitors and effectively ending the tie before the return leg in Bergamo.

Critics accused Klopp of underestimating Atalanta and argued that he should have fielded his strongest lineup. However, recent weeks have highlighted the manager's dilemma, with regular players showing signs of fatigue and fringe players failing to deliver when called upon. This predicament underscores the challenges Klopp faces in managing his squad effectively amidst a demanding schedule.

Fatigue now a factor

As a result, Klopp has relied more heavily on players like Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo than he initially intended. Consequently, both midfielders appeared fatigued and below their usual standards in the match against Palace.

Klopp acknowledged that Mac Allister, in particular, has been heavily utilized in recent weeks, which may have contributed to his dip in form. The manager also highlighted the significant impact of injuries on the team's performance, with several key players sidelined for extended periods.

The return of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson Becker after a couple of months on the sidelines, coupled with Dominik Szoboszlai's struggles to regain form due to recurring injuries, has compounded Liverpool's challenges. Additionally, Mohamed Salah continues to work his way back to his best form following his extended absence.

No need to get too downhearted

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher suggested that Klopp should prioritize the league over the Europa League by fielding a full second-string team in the second leg against Atalanta.

Carragher emphasized the importance of focusing on the league, stating that upcoming matches like Fulham are more crucial than the Europa League fixture against Atalanta. Despite acknowledging the disappointment of the recent defeat, Carragher remained optimistic about Liverpool's chances in the league.

However, Carragher's remarks were made before Liverpool's unexpected loss to a team that hadn't won an away game since November, which ended their 28-match unbeaten home record in the league.

The press was nothing

Liverpool paid the price for their inability to convert numerous clear-cut chances against Palace, with some misses being so glaring that Klopp even cracked a rueful smile at one point. However, it was the lackluster first-half performance that raised greater concerns.

Once again, Liverpool started the match sluggishly and found themselves trailing, marking the fourth time in their last five home outings at Anfield that they fell behind. While Klopp can be faulted for his forwards' inefficiency in front of goal, questions are also being raised about the team's sluggishness and lack of organization.

Klopp himself acknowledged the team's shortcomings, admitting that there were "too many moments where we were running in the wrong direction." He highlighted the team's typically strong press and counter-press, which were notably absent in the first half of the match.

Only going to get tougher

Liverpool's performance against Palace reflected a team that has already played 51 games this season, appearing lethargic and alarmingly susceptible to counter-attacks.

The upcoming fixtures pose an even greater challenge for Liverpool, starting with a crucial away trip to Bergamo followed by consecutive away games against Fulham, Everton, and West Ham in the league. Considering their current form, it's difficult to predict victories in any of these matches. With the team unable to afford any further dropped points, their season could effectively be over by the end of next week, which would mark a disappointing conclusion to Klopp's successful tenure.

However, there remains hope, as Robertson and his teammates are determined to continue fighting until the end. Liverpool still have time to reverse their fortunes, but it will require improvement in all aspects of their game. For Klopp, the task ahead is both simple and challenging, as the team strives to rediscover their winning form amidst a demanding schedule.