Terrace Talk: You need a microscope to nit-pick nowadays

“Thanks, Chelsea”; that’s near the top of any list of things you thought you’d never say.

But honestly, is it important who’s in first place now? Klopp keeps saying it’s what we do that counts and what we’ve done is pretty good.

Eternal pessimists struggle now. Were there too many changes to the team at Burnley? Maybe. Will Gomez be missed? Definitely.

You need a microscope to nit-pick nowadays. Even Fabinho and Keita are beginning to produce, making it a genuine squad as opposed to a great team that can easily wither through overuse.

That said people were nervous at Burnley. It felt like Klopp was taking liberties rather than being pragmatic, Dyche’s team was brutal and the routinely awful Atwell helped them.

Their iffy goal stood as it looked to be one of those nights, but what’s this? Liverpool fighting back? Using their class to stifle determined albeit limited opposition and win a lost cause? This is new.

Dyche’s lumpen tactics didn’t work, so he indulged in an English perennial; stick it to the foreigner. He’s replaced Allardyce as the one who sees European intrigue and favouritism blocking him off from the greatness that’s rightfully his.

It encapsulates Brexit to a t. “Nothing wrong with a good strong tackle, like in the good old days, we can have those back again” etc.

It’s a bloody Tardis you need, mate.

Allardyce made a fool of himself when he said he’d get big jobs if only he had a foreign-sounding name, then pretty much got legged out of Newcastle and Everton. His natural successor hasn’t referred to himself as Deischer yet, but it can’t be far off.

The media generally jumped onto his bandwagon, leaving Klopp even more perplexed than usual. Eddie Howe doesn’t blow his own trumpet; he’s got plenty to do that for him.

He also spouted some nonsense, about Salah’s opener changing the entire result on Saturday, which is believable if you’re that desperate.

Look, I understand most of it goes beyond the puffed-up nationalistic tripe which initially triggers it.

The top clubs are too dominant. They have second elevens which could easily hold their own in the top flight. They hoover up all the talent and leave the rest scrambling for survival.

That’s not sport, in my book. Everyone turns on City and their loathsome owners, but the others don’t want real change. They stop at the water’s edge, wanting only what serves them.

Still, who’ll complain when it’s going so well? Salah was worshipped but when we play quality opposition his carelessness in possession can hurt us.

Fans moaned about this central role, but stick him in the box and he’s lethal. No wonder Klopp just wants to leave him there, where he causes most damage and can’t obstruct the build-up.

So an excellent demolition of awkward opposition was only half-appreciated, since City would probably get their usual saunter to three points.

That they didn’t was nice, but they’ve got Everton next week and we’ve got United. If you need cold water pouring over your hopes, you’re welcome.

Napoli are coming too, and Europe’s been our downfall so far. Prepare yourselves for the Brexit jokes, how Klopp should replace May etc, but this team’s been full of surprises.

It’s rarely soared as it did so often last season but there they sit above everybody else, even a team widely (albeit incorrectly) described as the greatest ever.

Each season is a story, even the bad ones. They may have a bad ending most of the time but so do some of the greatest films ever made.

Who knows where this story is leading us but it’s been fantastic so far. Following a team blinds you to the drama, the twists and turns that captivate everyone else. Perhaps we ought to embrace them too.

Is that rationalisation? Probably. Are we going to tune in to next week’s exciting episode? Damn straight.