Liverpool’s fans know that their ‘heyday is irrevocably over’, hence them applauding Luka Modric and Real Madrid following the 5-2 defeat in the Champions League.
That’s according to Kicker editor-in-chief Jörg Jakob, who believes the Reds fans have accepted that a major change is needed at Anfield.
Liverpool were beaten 5-2 by Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League knockout clash last night in one of their worst performances of Klopp’s reign.
They had started the game well, racing into a 2-0 lead in the first 14 minutes but capitulated from that point onwards, committing major mistakes and succumbing to a ruthless Madrid forward line.
The criticism after the result has been fierce, particularly in the Spanish press, were several players were handed zero out of five by both AS and Marca.
They’re no longer the side that they once were and ‘something has to happen’ in the summer if they are to get back to their best.
The fact that Modric and his teammate were greeted with ‘huge applause’ by those inside Anfield, as Johan Cruyff and Barcelona once were, showed that they also know the team’s best sides are behind them.
Indeed, Jakob is full of praise for the Reds fanbase, saying their response was a testament to the ‘football expertise’ that they have.
What they had seen was their side show an ‘inferiority’ despite taking a 2-0 lead and was confirmation that Klopp has to ‘reinvent’ the side and a ‘major upheaval’ is needed.
As far as he is concerned there needs to be improvements in defence and midfield, something outsiders have recognised for a while.
Whether that happens remains to be seen but as far as Jakob is concerned, the Liverpool fanbase have had their say with what they did after last night’s defeat.
