Losing championships, historical negative records, injuries, reviews and more and more and more. Except for a truck, everything has passed for Liverpool this season – and as time goes on, the end of the crisis seems to be moving away from Jürgen Klopp and his trainees. Last night (Thursday), the Hoods reached a new low when they suffered for the first time in their history a loss in a row at Anfield, 1: 0 by Chelsea. As a result, the reigning champion dropped to seventh place.
First, note the unusual numbers: Liverpool have suffered a fifth loss in the last six games, closed out 12 consecutive first-half without a goal and kicked just once into the frame. And all of these, of course, dwarf the awful and terrible streak in their home, which beyond being the worst in the club’s history, is also the first ever in the Premier League to a reigning champion.
5 – Liverpool have lost five consecutive home games (league and all comps) for the first time in their history, while they’s also the first reigning English top-flight champion to lose five home league games in a row. Nosedive. pic.twitter.com/Rg25S3pmC0
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 4, 2021
And yet, what stole the show was one “dubious” decision by Klopp: in the 62nd minute, the German coach “was brave enough” to replace Muhammad Salah, something that has happened before, but while his team is behind. According to the English media, Salah was not happy with the replacement – and this could be seen when he shook his head in disappointment at the drop in grass sales.
The kingdom claimed that Jürgen Klopp “screamed at him five minutes earlier to be alert for help on defense”. “When he saw he was far away,” they added, “Klopp turned to the bench and picked up the replacement.” Klopp himself denied the allegations at the press conference: “The reason I replaced him was that at that moment it seemed to me that he was feeling overwhelmed and I did not want to endanger him.”
“I have to say, I did not believe Salah was replaced,” said Jamie Krager, a Sky commentator and former actor. “Liverpool were desperate to score, to take down your top scorer in a situation like this is weird. It’s true that Klopp was never ashamed to take Salah down when he was not good, but he is terrible, and in some cases Liverpool’s front has fought without him. He is certainly not at his best, but He just didn’t have the ball. “
And meanwhile, reviews of the ability continue to be heard. “Liverpool have lost five games in a row at Anfield for the first time in their history,” added journalist James Pierce, who covers Liverpool for Athletic. “It’s a big blow to the hope of finishing in the top four. They got exactly what they deserved, the first half of Mount was decisive. A lifeless performance by Klopp’s campers, a dismal night.”
Klopp on the decision to take Salah off: “The reason for the sub was that at that moment Mo looked like he was feeling the intensity and I did not want to risk him.”
– James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) March 4, 2021