A few days on now
I did notice something in the game. Something that may not be as receptive whilst watching it lethargically at the time.
A lot of the fight and desire in the team during the game seemed to come from the newer players in the team. The likes of gray and Townsend , doucoure, when we started to get momentum it was through these players. Once the energy went , it was through the older players at the team , the likes of Coleman, Keane , Richy at times, just the effort then dropped almost like going through the motions. Which ties into the culture of the club being one of the issues here.
I thought coleman was by far our worst player on the night and defensively was a liability, which klopp knew. His fault for the third goal clearly through basic defending errors but the 4th goal he put himself in no mans land between who had the ball (Robertson? Couldn't he arsed checking) and mane who could then run behind him giving him options , which he chose Jota. Kicked off at Pickford twice , that is great if he is our leader but he was our weakest link so it just comes across as frustrating.
Benitez managed the game poorly again, two games in a row. I've defended his situation thus far due to injuries but injuries aren't a factor as much anymore and it's during the games that is becoming an issue. I said it yesterday, it's almost like koeman playing a centre forward style after we failed to sign him one. Benitez playing his tactics with players who don't fit , on purpose to show what he needs.
Rondon is an issue. A massive issue in the team. Never mind the odd good touch, we should be old schooling crosses into the box for him when we can't play through the opposition , yet he offers nothing there. So it's causing us an issue attacking if plan a isn't working.
We know we are losing against arsenal Monday so we need to have a reaction next week , otherwise we could be in free fall without a parachute given conflicting issues.
Finally , I believe we played better at 2-0 because they let us play better, I wouldn't get your hopes up on a magical sign of a fightback , they knew they could beat us in second gear and did so, every time they attacked they carved us open and when we attacked we couldn't. So I don't take the game as a sign other than what the Derby has become , a mis match that even klopp knows is a guaranteed win in normal circumstances.