Liverpool go from “appalling” to “inevitable” as Klopp’s decisions split fans

The international break over, an early start to kick us back off and a comeback was needed after just seven minutes. Its like they never left.

Hwang Hee-chans opener was all too easy and preyed on the Reds lethargic performance, with Jurgen Klopps personnel choices Alexis Mac Allister and Joe Gomez questionable at the very least.

The second half, thankfully, brought an early equaliser from Cody Gakpo as momentum shifted to Liverpool and with further changes the Reds put the result beyond doubt.

Andy Robertson with a superb finish and Harvey Elliott finishing it off, and all the while Mohamed Salah walked away with two assists.

From sluggish to triumphant, club football really is back.

Three goals in the second half came after needed system and personnel changes, this Liverpool team love to keep us on our toes:

For as poor as Liverpool were for spells in the first half, once it was 1-1, it was impossible to imagine Liverpool not winning.

Thats the most exciting thing about this new year one Liverpool their inevitability. #WOLLIV

Harry McMullen (@mcmulhar) September 16, 2023

My word I love this team. They’re such a gaggle of assholes who go from aloof dickheads to ferocious chaos merchants. A squad of cats.

B (@NTXZO) September 16, 2023

No way we come back like that last season. Strangely, the first half performance mirrored that at Molineux earlier this year. Proof Liverpool are a work in progress but the reaction is telling.

Aaron Cutler (@aaron_cutler) September 16, 2023

Delighted with that. First half was appalling but hardly surprising with most of a second choice defence and half the squad going to Saturn and back during the week then having to play in that slot but second half performance, proactive subs and setup all superb. Deserved win.

Dan (@Dan23_92) September 16, 2023

That was a masterful second half by Szoboszlai. Took control of midfield. Jones looked much better in a withdrawn role. And delighted for Quansah. Got better as game went on.

Paul Grech (@paul_grech) September 16, 2023

Well, a game of two halves ?

Never in doubt ?

Quansah had a good accomplished game. Szoboszlai was boss ??

That also puts the 12.30pm kick hoodoo to bed pic.twitter.com/RA3ugfg27o

ZAGKAG (@ZAGKAG1811) September 16, 2023

What a comeback. Some mentality monster parallels to the 2-1 comeback win against villa in 2019 (we were similarly poor in the first half).

If we sort out the defence and put on a quiet run together till the Christmas break, we can dream, cant we? The_fan in TIA comments.

We were lucky to still be in the game at halftime, but to be fair every team in football needs a bit of luck sometimes.

Am so happy that unlike last season, we are able to fight against the heavy mud and chase wins. Another halftime masterclass by Klopp. On to the next game. Roe Johnson in TIA comments.

There was an unrelenting pressure on Wolve’s box that built and built that reminded me of our side of a few years ago whenever we went a goal down.

The first half I saw so often last season.

Feels like we’re remembering what our identity is.

Red (@TaintlessRed) September 16, 2023

Whatever Klopp said at half time, it worked. The belief was back, the effort was back, they didnt look like a side that had never played together before.

A lot more like Liverpool under Klopp, basically

Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) September 16, 2023

While the win will rightly be celebrated, Klopps choice to start Gomez as though he was Trent and play Mac Allister was, rightly, questioned. Thankfully, tweaks were made:

Gomez has been effective from right back at times, with some decent crossing in him. It makes no sense at all to push him into central midfield. He isn’t remotely similar to Trent!

Forcing something that evidently won’t work. Bizarre.

Matt Ladson (@mattladson) September 16, 2023

Would love to know why Alexis Mac Allister started today after needing breathing apparatus in order to play in Bolivia this week.

Played 85 minutes in altitude, flew 6,000 miles back to the UK, didn’t train and now playing like this.

Not his fault. Wataru Endo on the bench.

Jack Lusby (@LusbyJack) September 16, 2023

Joe Gomez gets confidence from some impressive outings at centre-back, then they throw him into this completely different role.

James Nalton (@JDNalton) September 16, 2023

I think if we are going to play with a 6 we need to trust Endo or Bajetic in there. Alexis is a class act in possession but hes not an instinctive DM. Hes been caught in a few games in a position that he wasnt recruited to fill. Needs to affect play higher up pitch. #LFC.

Si Steers (@sisteers) September 16, 2023

None of this makes sense. Gomez shoehorned into Trent Role, a fatigued as fuck Mac Allister starting. Early games make Klopp dumb

nate (@natefc) September 16, 2023

Watching Mac Allister here, you think hed played 12,000 feet above sea level about 50 hours ago, and then flew 6,000 miles to get home. Funny that.

Josh Williams (@DistanceCovered) September 16, 2023

Mad that plan B is asking Gomez to be Trent when a) hes not Trent b) hes got enough to worry about defensively, and then when he tries to be Trent he is crossing balls in to a striker who is never there because he drops deep ?

Craig Hannan (@C_Hannan7) September 16, 2023

As first starts for Liverpool go, Jarell Quansah was composed when others around him were not and hes surely due a few Klopp hugs:

Can be proud of himself today, Jarell Quansah. More assured and confident than some of his senior colleagues.#LFC #WOLLIV

Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) September 16, 2023

??????? Jarell Quansah definitely showed promising moments for #LFC today.

Most passes completed while he was on the pitch (78) 3/3 tackles won 7 clearances 5/8 duels won 4 recoveries 2 interceptions

Always a tough ask to cover for Virgil van Dijk no matter who pic.twitter.com/tQqqylfDiy

Bence Bocsk (@BenBocsak) September 16, 2023

#WOL 1-0 #LIV (via @StatsZone): Nothing too fancy but it was 40 minutes before Quansah misplaced a pass. pic.twitter.com/rTTlT6L6xX

Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) September 16, 2023

Super second-half from Quansah. Was okay in first with some nice flanked passes but made some impressive interventions in second. One particularly nice moment when he let his man run on, took a risk to step out the line and won the ball. Been so patient waiting for chances. pic.twitter.com/0XvdDpEklo

Lewis Bower (@LewisBower2021) September 16, 2023

Quansah has been excellent.

Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) September 16, 2023

Really impressed with Qansah today. Shown he is more than capable of stepping in when needed

keith costigan (@KeithCostigan) September 16, 2023

Big result for #LFC after that interesting first half ?

Jarell Quansah a big plus considering how poor everyone around him was 1st half. Harvey Elliott excellent from the bench again. #WOLLIV

Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) September 16, 2023