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Martin Keown unpicks Liverpool struggles: Duo's display against Southampton summed it up
MARTIN KEOWN thinks Philippe Coutinho and James Milner’s performances for Liverpool against Southampton in the EFL Cup typifies why they are struggling.
Philippe Coutinho's best goals for Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp’s men have had a torrid time since the turn of the year, failing to win any of their three Premier League games.
Liverpool lost 1-0 to Southampton in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup on Wednesday at Anfield, and went out of the competition after a 2-0 aggregate defeat.
Daniel Sturridge was culpable of missing several presentable opportunities.
James Milner failed to impose himself during Liverpool's EFL Cup defeat to Southampton
Jurgen Klopp's men are still searching for their first Premier League win of 2017
Coutinho looked out of sorts and even Milner wasn't having his usual solid performance
But Keown thinks Coutinho and Milner’s displays against Saints illustrated what has gone wrong for Klopp’s men in the past few weeks.
Dissecting the game, Keown told the Daily Mail: “Every time Southampton picked their pocket they were running through on goal and could have really punished Liverpool.
“Philippe Coutinho looked out of sorts and even James Milner wasn't having his usual solid performance in the first half-hour.
Martin Keown wasn't impressed with Philippe Coutinho's display either
“Liverpool have a manager in Jurgen Klopp who plays off emotion more than tactics. They are rising and falling with their results. He needs to find the right balance in his team.
“They are approaching their biggest games of the season with Chelsea and Tottenham to play in the coming weeks.
“Given he works off emotion, this may be perfect for Klopp to get a reaction from his players — but I was disappointed with Liverpool.”
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