Reds recover against Southampton to reclaim top spot

For a painful half hour it looked like Liverpool’s title dream would perish because they were out-Klopped. But by the end it seemed their German manager’s grand plan could be coming together at exactly the right time. The way this match unfolded could barely have been more restorative in terms of belief in Liverpool’s ability to be champions. Maligned players provided a powerful tonic. And there could certainly be no jibes about Liverpool’s bottle.

Yet they started like a team stunned to be confronted by opponents who treated them as they like to treat others. Which was a surprise, given that Jürgen Klopp is very familiar with Ralph Hassenhüttl, both having been on the same coaching course many years ago and having preached similar tactics ever since. But for 30 minutes the visitors were rendered ragged by hosts who pressed and thrust far better than them. Outfought as well as outthought, Liverpool were terribly uncomfortable or, to be fair, plain terrible.

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