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Klopp call for patience the right one

Within 20 minutes of Jurgen Klopp’s opening game as Liverpool manager, his seat in the away dugout may as well have been a reclining one. His side, less than a week under his instruction, ran and pressed and harassed and Tottenham had nowhere to go. It was relentless, Klopp’s ‘vision’ crystal clear.

But then, Liverpool slowed up. There was no question of the desire from the players, nor a change in what the German wanted from his side. They simply struggled to maintain the energy levels of the opening exchanges. In the first 27 minutes, the Reds managed three shots, one off the bar, without reply. For the remainder of the half, Spurs rattled in nine – including some very good chances – to Liverpool’s three.

Last week, he said there should be no expectation on him to change the world, and he was right. There were signs, and it extended beyond the notion of character and confidence. Passes were sharper, movement was quicker, ideas were being implemented.

Now is not the time to talk tactics, really. To assess Klopp and his methods on these 90 minutes alone would be unfair and foolish. The injury problems alone, leaving the dugout looking more like a creche than a substitutes’ bench, meant it was unlikely to see the perfect performance.

A point, however, will be welcome. The Klopp era begins as steadily as he could have hoped.

Instinctive defending the way forward

Mamadou Sakho had, through no fault of his own, become a millstone around the neck of Brendan Rodgers. At six foot two with cast-iron muscles, that’s some millstone. Rodgers’ preference for Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel in central defence became a growing issue, particularly given the Frenchman looked comfortable.

Relief, then, when Klopp chose him – although, admittedly, the only other fit option was Kolo Toure. Relief, even more so, when Sakho shone in the German’s first game.

He is a defender of instinct, his limbs gravating towards any dangerous ball. He can be careful too, especially in possession, but Klopp’s pressing style depends on reaction; assessing the situation and dealing with it quickly. Sakho excels at that, and did when blocking Dele Alli’s shot on the line late in the first half.

Little option for the manager, at this point, but Sakho has surely confirmed his spot in defence. Perhaps Martin Skrtel, who can sometimes overthink when assessing his opponent – is he over six foot? Yes. Do I wrestle with him? Of course – could learn from him.

Still, he, like Sakho, leaves North London with a clean sheet.

Origi is still finding his feet

Thrust into the spotlight on a day when it glared bright on the entire club, Divock Origi worked hard up front. It was a game, however, when a little bit more was required.

He is only 20 and, before this game, played just 17 minutes of Premier League football. Spurs’ centre-back partnership, international team-mates Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, are tough to deal with; even more so, perhaps, after spending the past week training with him with the national side.

He was not as impressive as he was against Sion, his movement snuffed out soon, his touch not as close. His best moments came out wide, stretching his legs and using his power. He also hit the bar with a decent header.

It is a tough ask to replace Daniel Sturridge in any situation, but it is something he will have to cope with. Maybe on another occasion, he can.

For now, it is a reminder of how Klopp won’t turn potential into productivity overnight.

Can and Klopp strike up instant connection

Klopp and Emre Can are an obvious fit, given their nationality and the midfielder’s history in the Bundesliga. No surprise, then, to see him named on his first team sheet, and in the centre of the pitch – his best position, according to perceived wisdom.

During the first half, it was his role to close the spaces closest to the dugout. He did so, over and over, with zest and intelligence. Klopp spent a lot of that time applauding and chuckling, delighted with what his compatriot was doing.

It was a real performance of energy in the opening 45, with flashes of class on the ball. He, like many of his team-mates, faded in the second – though his challenge on Harry Kane, with 10 minutes remaining, was excellent.

Never will he have a better chance to establish himself in the current circumstances. It was a good start at doing that.

Squad depth will never be this bad

At 0-0, with 10 minutes remaining, Klopp had not yet shown a single card in the dugout. His team looked tired, their effort evident throughout, and yet he stuck with the 11 he selected. Joe Allen, on for Adam Lallana, changed that.

Little wonder, given how little he had to work with. Jordon Ibe, at 19, was the most experienced attacking player on the bench – and he would soon appear afterwards. Down the line, Jerome Sinclair has managed a handful of sub appearances, Joao Carlos Teixeira spent last season at Brighton.

It cannot get this bad for Klopp, who had six or seven players – first-choice or squad – absent.

His work off the bench will have to wait until he has actual, proven options there.