Concern grows for Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool decisions questioned amid quit rumours
LIVERPOOL UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: Injuries are largely to blame for the Reds' poor form this season, but now Jurgen Klopp's tactical decisions are being questioned
What is going on at Liverpool?
Last season Jurgen Klopp's side stormed to the Premier League title. They made winning games look so easy it was almost boring.
Things are vastly different this campaign.
Liverpool have been hit very hard with injuries, which at the very least has disrupted the Reds' rhythm.
Liverpool's defensive linchpin Virgil van Dijk played just a handful of games before he suffered an ACL injury in October's Merseyside derby, seeing him out injured for the season.
Klopp has also been without: Diogo Jota, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Naby Keita, Sadio Mane, Thiago Alcantara, Alisson, James Milner and Jordan Henderson.
This has been disruptive in itself but it has forced Klopp to have to regularly chop and change his starting XI.This means that all too often this campaign players have featured in unfamiliar positions alongside team-mates they aren't used to lining up with.
Confidence has slowly but surely evaporated and the Liverpool team that started against Chelsea on Thursday night - despite looking impressive on paper - was a shadow of its former self.
Alexander-Arnold struggled to impact the game like he so often did last season. Roberto Firmino, Mane and Mohamed Salah meanwhile were snatching at the few chances that came their way.
Last year the front three were considered the most lethal in the Premier League - perhaps even the world.
But since the turn of the year the trio have managed just six goals between them.
Klopp tried his best to generate a spark from his players, who failed to have a shot on target in the first half against the Blues at Anfield on Thursday night.
The German was seen hugging a glum-looking Mane in the tunnel as the players made their way onto the pitch for the second half.
The gesture was spotted by Jamie Redknapp, who said on Sky Sports: "They need to get the ball up to the front men because a bit more has got to happen for this man - he needs that cuddle - for something to come off his backside or something like that."
But Klopp's attempts to rally the striker - something that seemed to work effortlessly last season - fell short.
Late in the second half Klopp tried one final roll of the dice and replaced Salah with Oxlade-Chamberlain.
On paper the move appeared a controversial one, but Liverpool's lack of attacking intent meant Klopp was well within his right to try something different.
The decision was met with confusion from Liverpool fans on social media, with Salah's agent pouring fuel on the fire by tweeting a cryptic full stop.
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