How Jurgen Klopp’s mentality monsters became a soft touch after Liverpool’s hammering by Real Madrid

Four years might seem like an eternity for Liverpool fans this season. It was one of the most famous nights in the club’s storied history and Jurgen Klopp used three words to perfectly sum up the steely nature of his team.

‘F***ing mentality monsters,’ the German said after their sensational 4-0 win over Barcelona in the 2019 Champions League semi-final second leg – completing a miracle comeback after losing the first leg 3-0.

What he would do for those monsters to rear their heads now. The gritty heroes of the past are nowhere to be seen this season – a campaign where Liverpool have crumbled under pressure and fallen short on multiple occasions – culminating in their biggest reality check yet. 

Their 5-2 hammering by Real Madrid, that saw them surrender a 2-0 lead built up inside the first 15 minutes at Anfield, was the biggest sign yet that Klopp’s side are mentality monsters no more. It was the biggest sign that this once great team are missing a fundamental part of their DNA that made them so fearsome in years gone by. 

The team are slowly beginning their climb up from mid-table after an underwhelming Premier League season so far, but the rude awakening by Madrid mean it’s two steps forward and three back. 

‘We gave all five goals away. All five,’ Klopp said after the game. The second half, the game was the game Real Madrid wanted to play. Both the other goals they scored, one is deflected and they weren’t really well defended to be honest. 

‘We lost the ball in the wrong moment, which is obviously a massive problem against Real Madrid with the counter-attacking threat they have and that’s how it gave the result and that’s it.’

Klopp must be at a loss to explain the nosedive in concentration and belief from his side, who for so long have been famed for their resilience, playing with energy and fighting until the bitter end. 

We saw that against Barcelona in 2019 – but even before that Klopp was calling his players mentality monsters after a stunning 3-1 win over Southampton the previous month. 

Shane Long had put the Saints 1-0 up before Naby Keita equalised – and with the game looking like it might peter out into a 1-1 draw, Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson popped up with two late goals two to seal a crucial win in the dying minutes.

And in another pivotal game as Klopp’s men piled pressure on title rivals Man City, Liverpool pulled off a dramatic 3-2 win over Newcastle thanks to Divock Origi’s winner in the 86th minute – after the Magpies had twice pegged them back. 

Even though Liverpool ended up conceding the title to City that season, that headstrong and win at all costs mentality continued into their title-winning season of 2019-20 when they trailed Aston Villa at Villa Park in November after Trezeguet’s opener.

The game looked done and dusted with Liverpool still losing in the 87th minute before Andy Robertson netted a late equaliser – and the Reds kept pushing and eventually got a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time through Sadio Mane. 

We saw a similar feat pulled off in the same month during a trip to Crystal Palace. Mane had put Liverpool ahead in the 54th minute at Selhurst Park before Wilfried Zaha stunned the league leaders with an equaliser in the 82nd minute. 

But, like they always did, Liverpool found a way to win as Roberto Firmino popped up with the winner five minutes from time to keep them on track for their historic Premier League title success.

Later on in that campaign there was the 3-2 win over West Ham at Anfield where the Hammers had come from 2-1 down to lead through Issa Diop and Pablo Fornals, but then a late rally saw Salah and Mane produce the goods to hand them a late win.

That ‘monster’ mentality Klopp craves can be traced back to as recently as last season – when the Reds stunned Villarreal in the Champions League semi-final second leg. 

The Yellow Submarine had taken a swift 2-0 lead in Spain through Boulaye Dia and Francis Coquelin to level the tie, before Liverpool took charge of the contest by scoring three unanswered second half goals through Fabinho, Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane to book their place in the final. 

What’s happened since then has left Liverpool almost unrecognisable – and devoid of their trademark principles that made them a nightmare for teams across Europe.

You could argue that a relentless season that saw Klopp’s men playing a mammoth 63 games in pursuit of the quadruple took its toll both physically and mentally. Liverpool look nowhere near it this season.

Their campaign started in a way that is very unlike Liverpool to begin with – two draws and a loss – to leave themselves playing catch up. By September you could see the cracks showing after Klopp’s men were hammered 4-1 by Napoli.

The following month they were held 3-3 by Brighton at home the following month, allowing Leandro Trossard to blitz a hat-trick – including a late strike to seal the draw after Liverpool had come from 2-0 down.

Then there was one of the biggest disappointments of the season a week later. Having twice trailed to title contenders Arsenal – before bringing it back to 2-2 thanks to Nunez and Firmino – Liverpool stagnated and failed to push for the winner.

Instead, it was the Gunners who showed bravery and character as Bukayo Saka netted a late penalty to seal a massive win.

The problem with Liverpool’s season is that just when you think they’ve turned a corner, poor results won’t be far away. The Reds followed that loss with a 7-1 win at Rangers, a 1-0 win over Man City and a 1-0 win over West Ham. Then came a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest and then a woeful 2-1 home defeat to Leeds that saw Crysenio Summerville net the winner in the dying minutes.

That trend continued in the following weeks. They went on to beat Spurs, Southampton and Aston Villa – but then came dreadful collapses against Brentford, losing 3-1, and Brighton (3-0 defeat).  

Liverpool fans have endured the same misery in recent weeks. Lose 3-0 to Wolves, beat Everton 2-1, beat Newcastle 2-0, lose 5-2 to Real Madrid. There is no consistency and it’s the story of their season.

Their demolition by Madrid on Tuesday night, as well as the shocking defending that has been evident all season long, was summed up perfectly by Jamie Carragher, who believes a lack of energy from midfield and attack has left the defence exposed.

‘That was shambolic from Liverpool,’ he said on BT Sport. ‘Embarrassing. We’ve made excuses for them all season, the reasons why they’re not doing as well as they have done in previous seasons, but that was a disgrace that second half. 

‘To lose that second half three-nil, you’re attacking the Kop, it’s 2-2, knockout game… as I said, absolutely shambolic from Liverpool.

‘And what I’m talking about in terms of being shambolic, I’m talking about defensively shambolic all season.’

This team had a great defensive record last season, but we know the midfield doesn’t have the energy anymore, the attacking players in the front three don’t press or certainly don’t have the cohesion that was there before.

‘So this Liverpool defence now, who have been told for years they’ve got some of the best players in the world, can’t cope because for years they’ve had a front six in front of them that have probably worked harder and smarter than any other team in world football – and now that’s gone it’s completely fell apart. 

With Klopp’s side ageing and the departure of Sadio Mane hurting the team much more than they initially hoped it would, their collapse against Madrid was humilating, but not a surprise. 

Klopp will need a big summer window to bring fresh impetus to the squad. For now, all he can do it patch over the gaping wounds and hope his side can limp through the rest of the season.