TERRACE TALK: Liverpool - Building a functioning defence the big task now

So it’s next Thursday the season ends… Okay, everyone knows how reverse jinxes work. You warn everyone “expect the worst”, act surprised when it doesn’t happen. It’s like you think God hates you that much He won’t even want you to be right when you predict misery. Man, that’s Sartre-bleak, that.

All a bit devious, but you’ve got to admit drawing with Dortmund wasn’t expected. Were the Germans bad or Liverpool good? That old tactical riddle is as old as time. You watch it emotionless on replay, count the chances you had; weigh it up and judge accordingly.

I thought we did alright. To use the boxing analogy that’s recurring when talking about the new slugger Reds, we battled passionately for 70 minutes and fortunately neither side had much puff left for a knockout as the game limped to its conclusion.

Klopp’s reaction to German TV’s “Kloppcam” seemed petulant, threatening boycotts etc, but it was admirable. Who wants their every burp and scratch documented for two hours, especially since he’s developed a permanently runny nose? Isn’t it supposed to get warmer in April?

I can’t get with the programme where some fans don’t like the idea of a Dortmund-Liverpool “love-in”. It’s hard to get it just right with these Goldilocks types; crying it in when Mancs sing about murderers/victims, cringing when someone wants to sing YNWA and applaud their ex-manager.

Thing is, if Rafa had ever gone back to Valencia with us and they’d not treated him right you’d never have heard the end of it. Maybe I’m getting old (actually, no maybe) but I found it all rather sweet. Shoot me.

Both clubs were charged by Uefa. What’s wrong with them? Notice they’re not fining United for what was really out of order.

They act like traffic wardens in a bankrupt seaside town that needs cash, or they’re simply complying with TV demand for a plastic experience. They’d probably do away with crowds altogether, pipe in noise at the push of a button so the precious couch potatoes get their faux reality fix.

We’re doing the work here and edging closer to the poorhouse every season. Rather than mock City for fans not turning up people should applaud. Someone’s got to stand up to them. Look how our owners soiled themselves after February’s walkout.

Beat Dortmund, don’t beat them, I’ll be glad when this season’s over. Too many columns preoccupied with midweek rather than weekends which have been inconveniences. Not so much our bread and butter, more like diet pills and a finger down the throat. Sustenance surprisingly came via a visit from Stoke.

Sturridge now fills in for Klopp when Divock Origi needs a rest. He should reflect on that. We all should. Ex-Red Borini must have convulsed entire pubs by hitting himself in the face with his own shot on TV beforehand. That was expected to be Liverpool’s only tenuous impact on the day but how wrong can you be?

Klopp resting players was forecast. Liverpool conceded an equaliser, also predictable (16 so far this season). From a set-piece, conceded by Skrtel. Stop me when this becomes tedious.

Ojo then showed the sort of skill everyone was expecting from Ibe by now. Not sure why he was taken off but the Origi switch certainly worked, scoring from a good Milner cross; what the hell’s going on?

Origi’s showing potential now and that’s not good news for Sturridge if Klopp’s got someone to score AND run around.

Good win, but fact is the only team in the league that currently knows how to defend is running away with it. Coincidence? We’ve been brittle at the back since Rodgers first came and that’s Klopp’s biggest task now. There’s the occasional sign of solidity from Lovren/Sakho but not enough to grant it credence.

If they do well one more time on Thursday, our season lives. It’s probably over, though. Hey, don’t try and change me…