Given Liverpool’s poor start to the season, supporters leaving Anfield early won’t be particularly high up on Jurgen Klopp’s list of concerns as he looks to resurrect the Reds’ fortunes. But maybe it should be.
The German saw his side start poorly once again as they drew 3-3 at home to Brighton on Saturday, trailing 1-0 after just four minutes to Leandro Trossard’s opener before the same player doubled the Seagulls’ lead in the 17th minute. With a rocked Anfield understandably subdued, the travelling support wasted no time in mocking their lack of atmosphere.
Yes, Liverpool would fight back thanks to a Roberto Firmino brace before an Adam Webster own goal saw them lead, but at no point did it feel like such a comeback was forthcoming. Meanwhile, once Brighton had equalised in the 83rd minute and Anfield started to empty, it never felt like a dramatic Reds victory would be on the cards.
PAUL GORST: Nothing will change at Liverpool until Jurgen Klopp addresses glaring flaw in his team
IAN DOYLE: Jurgen Klopp faces serious Liverpool questions as Fabinho concern emerges
DON'T MISS:Jurgen Klopp fumes at Fabinho as Liverpool sent X-rated transfer message
Nothing will change at Liverpool until Jurgen Klopp addresses glaring flaw in his team
Liverpool analysis - Jurgen Klopp faces serious questions as Fabinho concern emerges
JURGEN KLOPP: Liverpool boss admits he has a problem he 'cannot ignore'
Such a feeling has not been new during Liverpool’s floundering start to the campaign. When fighting back after trailing against Fulham and Crystal Palace, the belief that victory would follow has been lacking. And even when clinching last-gasp wins over Newcastle United and Ajax, it has been something of a surprise.
With his side low on confidence and Anfield lacking its trademark roar as a result, Klopp even admitted himself that once the Reds went 3-2 up at Brighton, he never felt convinced they wouldn’t concede again.
"It is not the first time, [the nervous atmosphere] has been like that for a long time, but it just didn’t happen too often because we were more convincing, but it's normal," the German told reporters. "I don’t blame anyone from the stands. Not at all.
"This feeling was obvious that it was not done and dusted. I cannot say I was 100% convinced that we would not concede a goal at 3-2 up.”
It’s clear that something is not right at Liverpool or at Anfield, with both players and atmosphere a pale imitation of what we have been treated to in recent times. Of course the two feed off each other, but it’s clear that something needs to change if the Reds are to enjoy an upturn in fortunes.
For much of Klopp’s reign his side, and subsequently fans, have boasted a never-say-die attitude that has currently deserted them. There are so many famous late victories and comebacks to call upon, from Norwich City and Borussia Dortmund in the German’s first season, Anfield’s finest night against Barcelona and the majority of Liverpool’s 2019/20 Premier League title-winning season.
Putting in the victories of champions, the Reds could be trailing in the 89th minute yet they’d still find a way to turn such matches into victories. The players always felt a goal was coming and so too did the fans, staying until the end to witness the latest glorious drama.
But now at times, Anfield empties early as Liverpool’s confidence continues to drop. It’s a throwback to Klopp’s first season on Merseyside when he took issue with such behaviour following a late 2-1 home loss to Crystal Palace.
“After the goal on 82 minutes, with 12 minutes to go, I saw many people leaving the stadium,” he said in November 2015. “I felt pretty alone at this moment. We decide when it is over. Between 82 and 94 [minutes] you can make eight goals if you like.
“I am not disappointed about this. They have reasons [for leaving] and maybe it is easier to go out, I don’t know. Don’t make a big thing about this but we are responsible that nobody can leave the stadium before the final whistle because anything can happen.
“We have to show this and we didn’t. Everything is OK but we can do better.”
Little over a month later, Divock Origi would scored a 96th minute equaliser against West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool’s manager and squad celebrated together, hand-in-hand, in front of the Kop. Still mocked by opposing supporters for such a response to this day, it was still a sign of the instilled belief that is currently lacking.
It would of course be built on too, with a last-minute equaliser in a 3-3 draw to Arsenal and the famous 5-4 victory away at Norwich following in January 2016, before Dejan Lovren memorably shocked Borussia Dortmund come April and all the dizzying heights that have since followed.
Liverpool decide when their matches are over, nobody else. They, and their fans need to remember this. With Arsenal and Man City their next two league games, now more than ever - or further embarrassment is around the corner.
The only problem is the Reds are seemingly resigned to their fate after each new setback. Their title hopes might already be done as a result, but if they are not careful they risk missing out on next season’s Champions League.
Klopp’s side might have won every major honour going during his time at Anfield, and so nearly delivered an unprecedented quadruple last season, but they need to rediscover their mojo and fast. With such underwhelming occurrences now happening far too often in front of retreating crowds, Liverpool need to hit the reset button and find a way to once again turn doubters into believers before it’s too late.
READ NEXT:
- Liverpool player ratings as Roberto Firmino a mixed bag and Trent Alexander-Arnold awful vs Brighton
- Liverpool's next six Premier League fixtures compared to Man City, Arsenal and others after Brighton draw
- 'Absolutely not happy' - Joel Matip sends angry message to Liverpool team-mates after Brighton draw
'This is not a blip' - national media agree on Liverpool's 'problems' after Brighton draw
- 'In one way' - Leandro Trossard makes Liverpool admission after hat-trick in Brighton draw
