Jurgen Klopp won’t be budged. The idea of becoming acquainted with football’s darker arts is something he views with revulsion.
Liverpool’s manager has his principles and they are to be admired. His team have played some of the best football seen at Anfield this century.
But is it ‘winning’ football? No. Not yet. It may seem overly critical to pick holes in a team that has collected 38 points against sides in the top six since Klopp arrived in October 2015, but a theme is emerging.
After Tuesday’s calamity in Seville, when a 3-0 lead became a 3-3 draw, Liverpool let two points slither through their grasp against Chelsea because they lacked the gumption to throw a blanket over the game.