Jurgen Klopp has been here before. In his demoralising final season with Borussia Dortmund his methods were questioned amid poor results and a gegenpress which had turned into a mess.
The Yellow Wall which he had built up since arriving at the club in 2008 was crumbling as Dortmund’s dynamic counter-attacking and swarm-like defence began to look predictable and stale.
Klopp eventually conceded defeat, unable to find the answers to the myriad problems which had beset his team, as Dortmund limped home in seventh in the Bundesliga.
It was significant, not just because 2015 signalled the end of the Klopp-era at the Westfalenstadion, but because it was the first time the charismatic coach had really shown any chinks in his armour.
The same can now be said of the empire he is trying to construct at Anfield, where Liverpool’s rapid sprint towards the title has dramatically stumbled off track.
Added to that, they have been eliminated in both domestic cups in matches they really shouldn’t be losing and their previously free-scoring attack has lost its mojo.
Something is amiss within a squad that 10 weeks ago was atop the Premier League and growing in stature and belief.
Klopp doesn’t make enough changes; then makes too many for the cup; they lack leadership and someone willing to take responsibility in midfield; Jordan Henderson and Emre Can are too similar; he still hasn’t solved the Daniel Sturridge conundrum (at least publicly), while his offensive players look shorn of confidence.
Then there are the energy levels of the team. Klopp’s intensity as a coach on the touchline is mirrored in his training sessions, particularly pertinent in a transfer window where the Reds have decided against further investment.
“Give Jurgen training over a transfer any day”, claimed an unnamed source to the Sunday Times last summer, who went on to describe “strewn bodies and players panting and choking back vomit” during pre-season.
It’s all or nothing at Melwood, but the frequency of games Liverpool have played – Tuesday’s fixture against Chelsea being their ninth this month – means Klopp’s punishing demands have proved counter-productive.
It’s no surprise he’s referenced England’s lack of a winter break during their downturn in form.
❓ Sadio Mane...
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 30, 2017
🔵 Chelsea...
🤒 Injuries...
The 🔑 pre-#LIVCHE press conference points! pic.twitter.com/EVlKeEBPms
With limited numbers, injuries across all departments, in a packed fixture schedule, this run of poor results was almost inevitable.
Chelsea are the opponent Klopp would probably least like to face. Their 2-0 reverse at Tottenham a blip in a body of work since October 26 which has seen Antonio Conte accrue 14 wins from 15 matches. With the paucity of Liverpool’s forwards a considerable concern after five goals from their last seven games, Klopp will baulk at the fact Chelsea have kept 10 clean sheets in this run.
Whereas Liverpool’s weaknesses are now in full public display, Conte has done wonders in neutralising Chelsea’s. David Luiz’s occasional positional recklessness is mitigated by Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta rarely venturing forward; Eden Hazard’s lack of hunger for defending protected by the addition of Marcos Alonso as left wing-back; the workrate of N’Golo Kante (worth two players alone in a defensive sense), Victor Moses and Pedro ensure any holes left by the occasional lackadaisical Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas or Hazard are quickly covered.
These are all areas, however, Liverpool have the nous and ability to exploit, plus man-for-man Joel Matip is more than capable of muzzling Diego Costa.
Klopp requires a midfield performance of continual energy from Can and Henderson to press Kante and Matic – Chelsea’s distributors – while also maintaining a strong shield in front of their defence, much how Victor Wanyama performed for Spurs.
Width is everything in Conte’s system as Moses, Alonso and Pedro stretch the field, opening up passing lanes for Kante and Matic and pinning back opposition full-backs.
Klopp, unfortunately, doesn’t have his best full-back in Nathaniel Clyne but needs the right-footed left-back James Milner to keep Moses going backwards and Trent Alexander-Arnold to get Alonso backpedalling, while isolating Hazard and reducing his influence.
Finally, there is the front-three. Most likely to be Firmino, Coutinho and Adam Lallana with Sadio Mane in reserve. All are fluid, quick and mobile and can, theoretically, drag Chelsea’s sluggish defensive trio out of their defined structure.
Klopp believes it’s achievable, even if the Kop’s own faith may be starting to tire. Unlike at Dortmund, he has the answers. His players just need to muster the energy to put them into action.
