I agree, it would be a huge mistake to assume that things will snap back into place once we have Matip, VvD and Gomez available again. Of course we will be better when we have better players available but this implosion is down to a mixture of issues, injuries to key players is one but its most certainly not the only one.
Under investment in the squad is as big a problem as injuries, the two are linked IMO, so FSG shouldn't get off the hook that easy. It's also time for Klopp to admit his mistakes with regards some of his under performing signings and cut them loose. The sort of stubborn blindspots that he has developed can be indulged when you're winning, but only if you're winning.
I read an interview with Klopp before the derby saying this squad doesn't need any sort of drastic rebuild, I hope for his sake he was just doing a PR bit because this squad has holes everywhere and the top performers are nearly all 29/30. We don't need to sign more squad players like Tsimikas and Minamino, we need first players who can push our first teamers onto the bench like Jota.
KIopp has had his hands tied with the squad at times but I agree, he's made mistakes. I think Minamino being given zero game time and then being cut loose was too rash a decision. Klopp seems stuck between a rock and hard place with the front three. He's needed to rest/drop Mane and Firmino at various times, but refused to. Like he doesn't want to force the question over their futures and he's conscious of upsetting them and them then deciding to move on (Mane especially). So he continues playing them while Minamino is at Southampton and there are other options there if he had the flexibility to alter his system or have an alternative plan, which he doesn't seem to have.
I've said for ages now, teams are getting wise to hitting us early with a long ball, it wasn't an overnight thing when we lost VVD, it's been happening for about a year or so. Especially targeting the chasm on our right side. I mean, we play with attacking fullbacks, but why don't we see that happen with Robertson? Because Robbo can defend and knows when to go and when to stay. He gets caught out occasionally, but that's more a symptom of the way we play than his own failings. Trent is a poor defender. Three years ago Rashford ripped him to pieces and you could see EXACTLY the same failings when we played them a month ago. Klopp's brilliant, but that's just criminal management. WE NEED A RIGHT BACK. Move Trent into midfield and/or play him at RB in games where we think we can get away with it. Time after time after time he's found out against the big sides.
The subs yesterday were ridiculous. Not so much the players coming on, I don't blame Ox or the decision to bring him on, Klopp thought he would bring urgency. Thiago and Firmino were slowing the game down and should have been the players to make way. Salah was having a decent game, so in trying to not upset two players he upset arguably our biggest player. This is the bit where the dressing room fractions and resentment set in. Salah going off yesterday was reminiscent of Torres getting hooked against Birmingham, that's where his personal rot with the management set in and I wouldn't be surprised if yesterdays decision will be one Klopp rues.
In the Summer I would get Harvey Elliott in the squad, get Minamino back and have a plan for him. Ship Origi, Shaqiri, Keita, Matip and Chamberlain. Put pressure on the board to spend. We need a QUALITY centre half, a right back, a creative midfielder and another forward. Players of real quality, not £7m punts that might come good in a year or so, not frantic last minute buys from The Championship. And work on actually having an alternative way of playing. It's fine having an ethos and a proven tactic that works, the top brass management adapt and evolve. I hope Klopp doesn't prove to be a few seasons wonder, where his frantic, high energy game reaps quick rewards but no long term foundation.