Klopp's Crew Keep Clean Sheet in Debut

It was the opening game of a new era.  It was the first game of the Jurgen Klopp era.  People wanted a quick turnaround, but none was to be had and it was unrealistic to hope for.  Managerial changes can spur (no pun intended) change, but players are players.  They can't be changed overnight.  Nevertheless, Liverpool could have and should have scored in the 10th minute as Divock Origi's flick went off the crossbar and the rebound bounced too many ways for a clean rebound to be had.

Liverpool had their chances after that, and looked a bit more positive than in the last few weeks, but it was mostly Tottenham after the first 15 minutes.  Simon Mingolet was forced to make a huge save in the 28th minute as Adam Lallana and Emre Can failed to fully get back, leaving the left wing open.  Tottenham continued to build pressure, but the Reds managed to defend fairly well, constantly talking which, admittedly, was something a bit lacking under Brendan Rodgers.  Liverpool managed to counter with a chance of their own in the 33rd minute, but still could not quite conjure enough to truly trouble the Spurs.  Spurs then rebounded with more chances of their own.  Harry Kane failed to put one in, hitting it off Mingolet's left leg and then Sakho with a block on the rebound opportunity.

The first 45 minutes of the Klopp era weren't really all that different, but really about what should have been expected.  Liverpool came out with a lot of energy, but it wasn't really concentrated in one area.  The players could clearly be seen wanting to perform well for their new manager, but not knowing exactly how other than to run.  There was no momentous occasion to celebrate the change, but given the starting lineup Liverpool had to go with, it was no more than should've been expected.  Still, you can't say that a scoreless draw at the half was not progress given the chances afforded to the opposition.

For the first 15 minutes of the second half, both teams seemed content to allow their opponent into the penalty area and then attempt to defend.  Sure, you can claim it worked since it was still scoreless heading into the last half hour, but it's a dangerous way to play.  The game calmed into somewhat of a lull during the 60th minutes.  Both sides had an opportunity toward the box, or two, but nothing overtly dangerous.  Liverpool's best chance was an appeal for penalty by Lallana in the 67th minute that went unheeded by the official.

Liverpool built up some very good pressure in the 70th minute, but could find no shots.  Unfortunately for them, all their pressure only led to a counter attack for Harry Kane that was fortunately blocked before fully going toward goal.  Joe Allen came on in the 81st minute, which was a bit confusing since Allen does not strike anyone as an attacking player, but came on in an attacking position.  Jordan Ibe would have seemed a better fit, but perhaps Klopp wanted more possession or more defending up-field.

The substitution didn't seem to spark much either.  Nothing to do with Allen really, but almost immediately after the switch, Spurs had another strong attack from Kane that was neatly parried away by Mingolet.  Ibe did come onto the field moments later for Coutinho, who seemed to be laboring.  That would be the last thing the Reds need at this point, considering that their entire lineup of forwards to be counted on was on the injury list for this weekend.

Most of the second half, as mentioned was relatively dull, but that made any chance for either side that much more intense.  Can had a rip toward goal in the 90th minute that just skimmed a foot or so wide and that put the hearts of Liverpool fans in their throats as they were hoping for something miraculous.  LFC supporters also had their hopes raised as Milner was awarded a free kick just outside the box with only minutes to go.  Alas, the kick was wasted by Moreno and that would be all she wrote.

It was a rather uninspiring game, if you take all the pageantry and hype surrounding Klopp out of the occasion.  It was much the same as we have seen all season, but it did have just a twinge of a better feel to it.  Liverpool managed a bit more energy than some of the lethargic performances of late weeks.  They had some good offensive chances, which is important given all the injuries the team had.  A squad missing Daniel Sturridge, Christian Benteke and Danny Ings was always going to struggle to score (they've struggled even with those players).  However, creating some chances knowing those players weren't even available as subs was a positive.  A draw is much better than a loss, but this game proved what Klopp had already said in his press conference.  He is not a miracle worker and it will be a process.

Random Thoughts:
- What kind of luck do Liverpool have if not bad luck?  We all knew Benteke was unlikely and Ings is finished for the year, but to wake up and find Sturridge out with a swollen knee is extremely disheartening.

- People want to lump this all on Rodgers, but let us not forget that so many people were ready to give up on loan-outs like Lazar Markovic and more than willing to rid themselves of Ricki Lambert and Mario Balotelli.  Now, given injuries, the Liverpool squad are very thin at positions they seemed deep in at the year's start.  It's just the way things happen.  To blame Rodgers is just piling on the hate.

- Mingolet continues to irritate people who want him out.  He's not quite decisive enough on set pieces, but I still contend he's one of the league's best shot stoppers and am not sure exactly who his detractors want to bring in that will clearly be better.

Walk On