Jurgen Klopp rues Liverpool’s mental fatigue

BARRING another of the remarkable comebacks that have decorated Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool reign, his final European game at Anfield will have featured a flat performance and atmosphere, resignation to defeat and a divide between fans and club; everything, that is, that goes against the culture he has created over the past nine years.

Rediscovering the spark and belief required to win a Premier League title, however, is the Liverpool manager’s more pressing concern.

Liverpool hit a wall against Atalanta on Thursday that was not entirely of the Italian club’s making.

The worry for Klopp with seven games remaining of a delicately poised title race is that fatigue has crept into several performances of late, and against Atalanta it affected players with varying conditions and workloads.

Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas started because they need game time after recent, lengthy injury layoffs. Both were off the pace and hooked at half-time along with Harvey Elliott.

“We didn’t take off the three worst players,” said Klopp, explaining that a lack of rhythm prompted the triple substitution. With the exception of Andy Robertson, also rebuilding match sharpness after several months on the sidelines, Liverpool’s substitutes – usually so effective in turning matches this season – also laboured. 

It is harsh, and hypocritical, to blame Klopp’s decision to rest key players for Liverpool losing a 33-game unbeaten home run.

His skilful juggling of resources amid considerable injury constraints is precisely why Liverpool have been able to challenge on numerous fronts this season.

Klopp has used 30 players in the Europa League, the highest number in this season’s competition, and 35 across all competitions. Workloads are measured to the