Semi-final slog shows why Klopp will break unspoken rule

Reported today in Football365.

The gamble was in grave, genuine danger of not paying off. Worse still, of backfiring completely.

Whether you consider Liverpool's Carabao Cup quarter-final aberration as a damning indictment on modern football or not, it was a conscious decision by Jurgen Klopp to prioritise the Club World Cup. A sensible one, too, perhaps, given the prestige of being able to market yourself as the greatest team in the world.

If they will try to trademark the literal name of their own football club, you best believe they will milk victory in a competition they have never won for more than it's worth.

Yet so few contemplated the possibility of the European champions losing as often in 24 hours as they had in their previous 30 games, such was the assumption that they simply had to embark on the flight to Qatar to secure the title of rulers of the world. Monterrey, much to the surprise of the neutral, ensured this was a fight to the end.

Without Klopp's intervention, that end might well have been the most emphatic Mexican wave ever seen. Concacaf's representatives were excellent, defending with aplomb and shooting with a passion rarely seen. Rogelio Funes Mori and Dorlan Pabon had more shots between them than a touring university rugby team.

Nicolas Sanchez and Cesar Montes were equally impressive in defence, albeit against an underwhelming Liverpool attack. Mohamed Salah's pass for Naby Keita's opener was the exception to a rule of running too far, taking too heavy a touch, thinking too long. This was not his finest performance.

Neither Divock Origi nor Xherdan Shaqiri alongside him took their opportunities either. Their last two starts together came against Everton and Barcelona at Anfield; it is difficult to think of two performances that contrasted more

unspoken