Reds are in safe hands under Klopp, whatever happens in Basel

How better to illustrate the impact of Jurgen Klopp than with a dramatic last gasp equaliser in front of the Kop as Liverpool rescued a point against Chelsea.

“We'll decide when it's over,” insisted Klopp back in the autumn when he was wrestling with the mammoth challenge he had taken on.

Back then this was a group of players resigned to their fate when the chips were down. Shoulders hunched. Anfield was a place where the Reds' resolve was easily broken.

Not any more. Not on Klopp's watch.

Here was the never-say-die spirit he has instilled in the squad he inherited as they marked his 50 game in charge by ensuring their unbeaten home run was extended to 13 games.

Liverpool were far from their fluent best on a night but substitute Christian Benteke's late header ensured the party spirit wasn't dented ahead of next week's Europa League final against Sevilla in Basel.

The Reds remain eighth but they could still finish as high as sixth if they win at West Brom on Sunday and both Southampton and West Ham slip up.

In truth it won't matter if Liverpool end the club's 11-year wait for a European trophy and book their passage into the group stage of the Champions League.

What a contrast to 12 months ago when the Reds embarked on their end-of-season lap of honour after a pitiful 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.

On the day of Steven Gerrard's emotional Anfield farewell Kopites walked away with grave fears about the direction in which their club was heading. Brendan Rodgers' reign had gone off the rails.

Anfield is now a very different place. Both hope and pride spring eternal. The applause raining down from the stands to Klopp and his players was a show of true appreciation.

Some of the memories of this campaign will last a lifetime.

Win or lose at St Jakob-Park next week, supporters know the Reds are in safe hands under Klopp.

The scale of the transformation off the pitch with the imposing new Main Stand taking shape has been replicated on it with Liverpool preparing for their first European final for nine years.

The summer demolition work started earlier than planned with the clatter of seats being removed after the final whistle by fans eager for a piece of history.

Klopp will simply concern himself with the present and even though this wasn't the performance he wanted with what's likely to be his starting line up in Basel at least Liverpool avoided any injuries.

The Reds lost their way alarmingly after making a flying start against the Londoners.

They dominated the opening exchanges as they repeatedly scythed through the Chelsea backline.

Daniel Sturridge led the charge against his former club. The approach play was slick but there was no end product.

Sturridge and Alberto Moreno combined to pick out Philippe Coutinho, whose effort was blocked by Baba Rahman,

Moreno continued to be a source of promise down the left and swept a pass into the feet of Adam Lallana. His low strike from the edge of the box was pushed away by Asmir Begovic.

'Where's your famous atmosphere?' asked the away end. 'Where's your famous plastic flags?' responded the Kop with interest before a rendition of 'There's only one team in Europe'. Point made.

Roberto Firmino should have broken the deadlock when he latched on to Sturridge's intelligent pass. The Brazilian's pace took him clear of Nemanja Matic but a poor touch forced him wide and he ended up scuffing into the side netting.

As the first half wore the intensity dropped and Liverpool got sloppy.

Passes started to go astray and as frustration levels grew Chelsea secured a foothold in the contest.

Eden Hazard's shot was pushed away by Simon Mignolet and Kolo Toure was alert to beat Bertrand Traore to the rebound.

Just past the half hour mark the visitors led. It was sublime from Hazard as he weaved his way into the box before slotting nonchalantly into the bottom corner.

However, Liverpool hardly covered themselves in glory with Lallana, Firmino and James Milner all failing to put in a proper challenge, while Dejan Lovren made the finish easier by backing off.

The Reds responded with Coutinho forcing a sprawling save from Begovic but they were fortunate not to fall further behind before the interval.

Mignolet's resurgence has been key to Liverpool's march to Basel. He has commanded his box better and instilled greater confidence in those around him.

However, the Belgian keeper felt the wrath of the Kop when he raced off his line to meet Traore before inexplicably stopping midway.

Caught in no man's land, Mignolet was relieved to see the Burkina Faso international curl wide. In fairness, the shot-stopper more than redeemed himself with what followed.

The second half brought more of the same with Liverpool lacking a spark at one end, while struggling to contain Hazard at the other.

Another mesmerising run from the winger ended with Mignolet grabbing it at the second attempt before Traore could pounce.

Going forward, it was all too slow, too predictable. Klopp stood on the touchline demanding more composure but the message didn't appear to get through. The tally of careless errors continued to grow.

Sturridge should have restored parity when he latched on to Lallana's through ball but Begovic denied him. From the ensuing corner, Toure nodded tamely at the keeper.

When Firmino picked Matic's pocket and then gave the ball straight back to him it just about summed things up.

As the hosts grew ever desperate they left themselves vulnerable to getting picked off on the counter with Mignolet to the rescue as he thwarted both Pedro and Traore.

Klopp's search for inspiration led to the introduction of Joe Allen and Benteke for the tiring Milner and Lallana.

Sheyi Ojo soon followed for Toure and the exciting teenager's impact was emphatic.

Ojo had already narrowly failed to convert Allen's inviting delivery before he created the equaliser deep into stoppage time.

Begovic made a hash of dealing with Ojo's cross and Benteke nodded home his 10 goal of the season.

Kopites have become accustomed to late drama. Things really have changed at Anfield.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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