Jurgen Klopp left red-faced again as Tottenham steal a point at Liverpool
In the 91st minute of Sunday’s pulsating clash between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, with the scoreline 1-1, the game was destined to end in stalemate. Suddenly, Liverpool's attacking threat Mohamed Salah, who had been excellent all evening, found himself one on one with the Spurs goalkeeper, Hugo Loris.
Having weaved his way past Ben Davies and then Jan Vertonghen. Loris committed himself and Salah deftly clipped the ball over the onrushing 'keeper and into the back of the net. Cue the deafening noises reverberating all around Anfield, as the fans, and especially the Liverpool dugout, celebrated wildly.
Jurgen Klopp was off, sprinting away down the sidelines, his show of exuberance was something to watch - jumping in delight, punching the air with fists clenched. A huge 3 points secured over another top 6 rival and a massive statement in a bid to secure Champions League football next season - or so Klopp thought.
Harry Kane's 95th-minute penalty quickly wiped the smile and joy off Klopp's face, a similar sense of deja vu no doubt will have struck Klopp's thought pattern.
Klopp has been here before many times as Liverpool manager. There is a magic within English football, which can give players, fans, and even managerial staff a harsh lesson and brutal dose of reality.
Those immortal words of American Rock Star Lenny Kravitz, “It ain't over until it's over” spring to mind. Just ask Alan Pardew (2016 FA Cup final)
Klopp's passion on the touchline is all very admirable. Appointed as Liverpool boss in October 2015, he quickly won the hearts of all associated with the club with his die-hard display of passion during match days.
This show of exuberance was quickly on show in one such league game shortly after his appointment against Southampton, at Anfield in 2015. Christian Benteke planted a superb header into the top corner with 78 minutes played, and Klopp celebrated wildly, almost as if the game had been decided there and then.
Sadio Mane did, however, score a late equalizer for Southampton and Klopp's touchline celebrations were cruelly mocked. In the reverse fixture at the St Mary's stadium in March 2016, Klopp watched in delight as Liverpool raced into a 2-0 lead and then followed a Simon Mignolet saved spot kick, which sparked another classic release of high octane touchline emotion.
Klopp’s behavior seemed to lift the Saints from their Sunday afternoon slumber. An epic comeback ensued and the game finished 3-2 in favor of the home side. It was then the turn of Southampton manager, Ronaldo Koeman, to race away full of joy - mocking Klopp's antics on the touchline.
In another fixture against Norwich City at Carrow Road in February 2016, Adam Lallana hit the winner - a 2nd injury time goal of the game in a topsy-turvy end to the match which finished 4-5 to Liverpool.
The whole squad, including Klopp himself, finished the game piled on top of each other. Those celebrations proved to be in vain against a relegated Norwich side. Klopp’s Liverpool would end the season losing 2 cup finals and a league finish in 8th spot proved to be the pinnacle of an eventful, yet low key season.
In last season’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Anfield, Eden Hazard failed to convert a late penalty. Shortly after, TV cameras captured an extraordinary scene, as Klopp screamed “No one can beat us!” point blank into the 4th official’s face. Liverpool went on to lose 2-0 away to Hull City the following Saturday.