The Top Flight
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English Premier League: Liverpool’s defensive problems £75 million heavier

By Ashley Anthony

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Refree Jonathan Moss consults with his assistant referee over a penalty decision during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on February 4, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Refree Jonathan Moss consults with his assistant referee over a penalty decision during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on February 4, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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What’s a Liverpool match without late drama? Can’t answer – never witnessed one in my life of watching them in the Premier League and beyond. What an ending to an intriguing top-four fight between, the Reds and the Spurs.

To sum up the encounter in a couple of paragraphs; The Reds were handed the lead and then gave it away. Then a thunderbolt nearly broke the net on the Kop end – when one African player named, Victor Wanyama hammered in the equaliser.

The home side made a mess of things in the second half and displayed none of their first half magnificence – but returned through the determination of one Egyptian, Mohamed Salah. This is where the game looked to be over and finally decided.

Fortunately, Mauricio’s men were upbeat and replied with another controversial moment inside the hosts penalty area – where £75 million did not pay off for Klopp. Second chance for Kane – who needs no asking, stepped up, and made sure of the point to take home.

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The officials once again got things wrong and thing completely wrong:

Controversy set out in Anfield once again – and to make matters worse, a referee who’s had it in with the Reds for couple meetings ahead of this one, made it hard for them to take all the points. The debate could go on for years, and for years there will no agreement.

Both penalties were errors by the match officials, in my books. The first one a sure offside, and the other – a soft touch with the player asking for the challenge. Nonetheless, the decision went in the way of Spurs and they made sure they were equal to the fight.

Jon Moss and his team, got it wrong and managed another upset in the fight for a Champions League spot. However, in the same breath, this was the doing of Liverpool’s defensive weaknesses.

£75 million hasn’t made that much of a difference – has it now?

A new man, tons of money spent, yet the same outcome for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Since scoring on his debutent appearances – where he epitomized the price tag of £75 million, he and the Reds backline have struggled.

This provides enough evidence – Klopp’s problems stretches far beyond the £75m paid for the big Dutchman. Before the purchase – Liverpool would throw big leads away and find it difficult to sustain a one goal advantage.

In this case, not a slight bit different. A system change, positioning change for some, maybe even a personnel change is needed now. Van Dijk will take time to fit into Klopp’s relentless style of play. Playing with a mountain of pressure on him – performances will be judged each time he steps on the pitch.

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