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It’s a dichotomy that has followed Jurgen Klopp throughout his career, from Mainz, to Dortmund, and now at Anfield.

It was one he addressed himself in the aftermath of the thrilling comeback at Crystal Palace.

Speaking on how the red card affected things – for the better, it would transpire – Klopp said: “We wanted to bring Coutinho on, and to be more offensive on the right wing with Milner instead of Flanagan. And then, in the first moment after the change, we get the red card.

“It was not the biggest problem offensively, but we had to find a solution defensively.

“It was more about passion than formation.”

Passion is something associated with Klopp, an attribute married with the German who gesticulates wildly on the touchline, kicking every ball and living every moment.

His formations – or, to put it another way, his tactical acumen – do not have the same reputation.

But it should.

The cult of personality surrounding the world’s top managers leads to charisma being valued above all else. Klopp has had to deal with this, too. His man-management skills are often heralded as the root of his success; his attention to detail and vast tactical knowledge less, often ignored.

Ignored by himself too, it seems.

Perhaps Klopp was just being bashful in the aftermath of the anarchy at Selhurst Park, because the win was just as much about formation.

Dejan Lovren sprinted 40 yards to win a challenge 20 yards from goal; that is passion. For him to be in the situation to make that challenge to begin with, as the right-sided centre back with the invitation to push high up; that is to do with tactics.

It is a simple trap to plunge into after every Liverpool turnaround, to attribute it to Klopp’s character, rather than anything far more cerebral.

But the Palace result was the ninth time Liverpool have salvaged something from a losing position - 10, if the draw after 90 minutes at Wembley is considered – with five of those turnarounds resulting in wins.

That is not just due to hugs and high-fives. Here is how his tactical changes have seen the Reds bounce back from the brink.

CHELSEA (A)

What the situation was: After falling behind to a Ramires strike early on, Philippe Coutinho’s leveller on the stroke of half time left the game poised midway through the second half.

What Klopp did: With Jose Mourinho surprisingly withdrawing Eden Hazard on the hour, Klopp bolstered his attacking options, replacing James Milner with Benteke. This dropped Roberto Firmino – who had led the line up until that point – into a deeper role. With Benteke pushing the Chelsea defence back, there was space to operate in the attacking midfield areas, which Firmino, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho did to great effect – Coutinho profiting to make it 2-1, before Benteke himself ended it as a contest.

NORWICH (A)

What the situation was: Liverpool had relinquished their 1-0 lead at Carrow Road and found themselves 3-1 down within 54 minutes. A quick response from Jordan Henderson made it 3-2, but the Reds were staring at a galling defeat.

What Klopp did: Brought Lallana into the action for an ineffective Jordon Ibe. That altered the way Liverpool had previously been attacking, with Ibe an outlet that had long been quietened by the Canaries’ right-hand side. Lallana, however, drifted infield and brought Ivan Pinto fresh problems. His movement flummoxed the defence and saw the Reds become far more vibrant in attack, and it was Lallana who set up the equaliser for Firmino, before scoring the dramatic late winner himself.

SOUTHAMPTON (A)

What the situation was: The Reds found themselves a goal down within a minute after Saido Mane’s brisk start, with the Saints on top in the opening exchanges.

What Klopp did: Nothing. That might not seem like a revolutionary tactic from the German, but he could have panicked and made adjustments to his attack-minded 4-4-2 formation, perhaps moving Divock Origi out wide and making a more solid 4-2-3-1. Instead, Klopp stood firm, confident in how he set up his side. It would pay dividends within the half hour, Sturridge scoring twice in four minutes. The Reds, clad in black, would go on to win 6-1.

CRYSTAL PALACE (A)

What the situation was: No introduction needed. A goal down, and down to 10 men, defeat looked inevitable at Selhurst Park.

What Klopp did: His hands were tied, somewhat, having just made his first substitution. With Coutinho on for Flanagan, and with Milner – designated right back – now off the field, he switched to a 3-4-2 formation, with Emre Can and Lovren lining up alongside Mamadou Sakho in defence. They dealt with the quick wide men of Palace when necessary, and were also helped by Moreno, Coutinho and Lallana in the wide positions, essentially seeing a back five in defence but six-man midfield on the front foot.

By retaining two up front, however, it bred uncertainty with Palace, who were unsure whether to go for the second goal or merely consolidate. Firmino’s presence high up the pitch saw the Reds equaliser before substitute Benteke – and not Sturridge, who also waited on the bench – saw the game won.

(Image: 2016 Liverpool FC)

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

There were other decisions from Klopp that did not lead to wins, but nonetheless salvaged a point for the Reds. Bringing Steven Caulker on as a striker in the final minutes at home to Arsenal was unorthodox, but effective; it opened up the required space for Benteke, who set up Joe Allen for the stoppage time equaliser. In November, a 2-2 draw was secured against West Brom when Klopp took off Lovren for Origi at 2-1, with the Belgian scoring the equaliser.

AND ONE THAT DIDN’T WORK

How ironic, perhaps, that it was against Crystal Palace earlier in the season that Klopp’s gamble failed to pay off. With the score at 1-1, he withdrew Emre Can and brought on Firmino – and with it, he relinquished control of the midfield, as the two-man set up toiled. Palace would go on to win 2-1, and Klopp lamenting the exodus of supporters after 82 minutes.

“Between 82 and 94 minutes, you can make goals if you want,” said Klopp after the game. “I felt pretty alone at this moment.”

He won’t feel alone any longer, surely, with so much evidence of what his side can do with him on the sidelines.