Liverpool’s first-half performance against Napoli has rightly attracted a great deal of criticism from fans and commentators alike after the Reds lost three goals before the half-time whistle in Naples.
With absolutely no presence in the middle of the park, defending poorly and failing to threaten in the final third, fans were met with a Jurgen Klopp outfit that was less than a shadow of his former quad-hunting self.
Speaking of the visitors’ first 45 minutes of action, Kevin Palmer, James Pearce and David Maddock had nothing good to say.
This is the inevitable consequence of Jurgen Klopp being asked by the FSG to compete with the best teams in the world while winning back transfers every year. Eventually, the miracles end.
The fans will turn against these owners sooner rather than later #LFC
— Kevin Palmer (@RealKevinPalmer) September 7, 2022
HT: Napoli 3 #LFC 0: The first 45 minutes as chaotic as those Liverpool have served during Klopp’s reign. He could be five or six behind. Zielinski, Anguissa and Simeone with the goals. Alisson saving Osimhen’s penalty. Lose battles all over the field. Frightening.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) September 7, 2022
It is the lack of desire, of aggression that is so worrying. Where the hell does this come from? They were 2 games, 2 goals, away from a quadruple 4 months ago. #LFC under Klopp all about intensity, fight. Never before have I seen them so weak in all departments. shocking. Embarrassing.
— David Maddock (@MaddockMirror) September 7, 2022
A goal from Luis Diaz has provided some hope of a second-half turnaround, though it seems we are far from making a convincing case for a comeback to remember at the Stadio Armando Diego Maradona, at the time of writing.
READ MORE: (Video) Virgil van Dijk saves Liverpool with a line lock as Jurgen Klopp’s side struggle in Napoli
In diagnosing our poor start to the season, the response has often been to resort to an admittedly significant injury list that has kept us without world-class coach Thiago Alcantara, sharpshooter Diogo Jota and French wall Ibrahima Konate.
Still, there’s just no way we can excuse an exit that lacks the absolute basics of what we expect from a Klopp side.
The intensity is getting thinner as we inch ever closer to the international hiatus, and fans’ patience may soon follow if our identity remains elusive in the coming weeks.
#Ep58 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Qualifying Liverpool’s UCL group, making a new signing… and more!
