Liverpool need to learn to retreat and preserve with same vigour as they attack and destroy

Signs of Liverpool's late capitulation against Bournemouth had been seen in previous games, and their capacity to ship goals late on points to a need for a re-think from Jurgen Klopp into how best to utilise his substitutes, writes Richard Jolly.

Eddie Howe, manager of Bournemouth, centre, celebrates victory with Benik Afobe as Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, right, applauds fans after his side's 4-3 defeat at the Vitality Stadium on December Show more

It had not been coming. Liverpool had not conceded a goal for 341 minutes until Callum Wilson scored a penalty for Bournemouth. They then went on to let in three more goals in a frantic final 15 minutes.

But it had been coming. Perhaps not statistically, perhaps not in the Bournemouth game, but the sense was there that sooner or later Liverpool would give up a lead in costly fashion. There were hints in the final few minutes against West Bromwich Albion when they were 2-0 ahead, could have been four goals to the good and ended up clinging on at 2-1. There were indications at Arsenal, when a commanding 4-1 advantage became an altogether nervier 4-3.

And then came Bournemouth and a 4-3 defeat that bore distinct similarities to the 2014 trip to Crystal Palace, otherwise known as "Cryistanbul", when Liverpool conceded three times in nine minutes to in effect end a title challenge. This is a first assault on the top of the table since then but, while Jurgen Klopp spent last week suggesting history doesn't matter, it repeated itself.

The German had spoken of the change in personnel. He had done Liverpool a service by selling Martin Skrtel, the common denominator in many a collapse, but they are yet to rid themselves of Skrtelism, the capacity to capitulate under pressure.

See also:

• Premier League team of the week: Duos from Chelsea, Arsenal and Bournemouth among the week's best

• Greg Lea: Crazy finish owes more to Ryan Fraser and Bournemouth's spirit than Liverpool's stumble

There have been signs Klopp is building a better defence. But they have revolved around Joel Matip, the free-transfer signing his manager believes has saved Liverpool millions. They have sieved nine goals in the three league games the giant Cameroonian has missed, as many as they have let in during the 11 he has started. Matip already ranks alongside Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane as the irreplaceable players in Klopp’s ranks.

Lucas Leiva deputised against Bournemouth. He is shaping up as this season’s Kolo Toure, the senior professional who is admired for his character but whose shortcomings prove a problem in a tight title race. The temptation is to lament the absence of Mamadou Sakho, who was forming a fine partnership with Dejan Lovren last season but whose Liverpool career, Klopp confirmed on Friday, is now over. Cross Klopp, as Sakho seems to have done, and there is no way back.

It is therefore irrelevant to argue he should be restored to the side. Recruiting the commanding, confident Virgil van Dijk might be a better idea but Klopp does not believe in retail therapy. He objects to the English obsession with the transfer window, as though buying for buying’s sake is a one-stop solution to any problem. He is not a natural big spender and prefers to create a group with chemistry. Meanwhile, the suggestions Liverpool should sign Joe Hart ignore the reality that Fifa regulations prevent the goalkeeper from playing for a third club this season.

But they do reflect upon Loris Karius’s unconvincing start to life at Anfield. The young German saves only 65.5 per cent of shots that are on target. He was particularly culpable for Ryan Fraser and Nathan Ake’s goals on Sunday. He is yet to prove a dominant presence or to execute a particularly brilliant or significant stop. He is the anti-Matip, the newcomer who offers precious little resistance.

But as it would be no surprise if Liverpool end January with the same defensive personnel, it means the switch required is in mentality. They are a team who prefer to play front-foot football, who are terrific when they have impetus and initiative, pressing high and attacking with eagerness. It is then that they are at their most dynamic.

Yet even Klopp's super-fit charges tire. Games change. Opponents attack. Half of the goals Liverpool have conceded this season have come after the hour mark. They have to find a way of retreating with solidity, of using a lower defensive block in the closing stages, maybe even of using defensive substitutions (even if, as Manchester United showed on Sunday, they can backfire), to preserve hard-earned advantages. Because Liverpool's current plan seems simply to carry on scoring. It is why their title-challenge is a white-knuckle ride. So was their last one. But remember how that ended.

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