Jurgen Klopp SAVES his Liverpool team, saying only FOUR of his players were “okay” in their 4-1 thrashing of Man City… with the German manager thankful the Premier League champions “didn’t give up!” greedy” to make matters worse!
- Liverpool were thrashed 4-1 by Manchester City despite taking an early lead
- Leave Jurgen Klopp’s men seven points behind the Champions League positions
- The manager said afterwards that his team were “lucky” that City did not score goals.
Jurgen Klopp claimed only four of his players had performed to an acceptable level as Liverpool’s dismal season continued with a tough 4-1 defeat at Manchester City.
Klopp did not mince words after watching his team collapse at The Etihad despite taking the lead early on through Mo Salah.
It was the latest blow in a hugely disappointing campaign at Anfield and the club could end the weekend 10 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham as their Champions League hopes fade.
“Only four performances were good and that’s very difficult,” Klopp fumed. ‘The two midfielders Hendo (Jordan Henderson) and Fab (Fabinho) worked hard, Cody Gakpo and Alisson.
‘But if you want to get anything here, 14 or 15 players have to be at the top of their game and that wasn’t the case.
Liverpool lost 4-1 to Manchester City in their Premier League clash on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp said after the game his players were ‘lucky’ City hadn’t scored more
City could do whatever they wanted because the spaces were too big. We were lucky they didn’t get more than four.
“Not being good when you don’t feel 100 per cent is not possible in the Premier League.”
Klopp was particularly angry that, having equalized at half time, Liverpool allowed City to go 2-1 ahead in the first minute after the restart when Riyad Mahrez crossed for Kevin De Bruyne.
And while he didn’t name anyone, he hinted that centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate could have done more to put City under pressure.
We didn’t even do a challenge. I have no idea why. If you are too deep and too passive, use it in the city’, said the German.
I don’t know 100% if it was the team that started the second half like this or (some) players.
We conceded two quick goals and it’s very difficult, if not impossible, to come back, but we can make it more difficult by sticking to the things we did in our good times.
‘The difference at the end was huge. Wow, it’s not nice when your crowd is ‘Ole, Ole’, but sometimes it happens.
He claimed Cody Gakpo was one of four Liverpool players to put in an ‘OK’ performance
A season that held so much promise when Liverpool, as reigning FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders, convincingly beat City 3-1 in the Community Shield has come crashing down rather quickly.
Although Liverpool are within striking distance of the top four, Klopp admits they will need to improve massively to get anything out of their next game at Chelsea on Tuesday night.
With the departure of Sadio Mané and the injury of Luis Díaz, relations between the front men Salah, Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota still need work and Roberto Firmino is out at the end of the season.
Defenders van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, all rated the best in the Premier League at their position, have suffered a collective drop in form. Midfield replacements can’t come fast enough with goals from Jude Bellingham and Mason Mount in the next window.
Liverpool will point to a block by Jack Grealish that prevented Salah from making it 2-0 and forgiving referee Simon Hooper allowed Rodri to draw a second yellow card after fouling Gakpo, a decision that saw Klopp’s players surround the referee. .
But to his credit, the manager didn’t try to hide the reality afterwards. ‘Could it have been a second yellow card? Probably, but we won’t get it now. I’m not sure we would have won today against 10 men.
‘I have told the boys that there is nothing to say for tonight, we have to talk about it tomorrow. We have to use this game to make it clear what things can’t happen.
We can’t be that open. I have to try to explain it, and I can’t explain it.’
Julian Alvarez (left) and Jack Grealish (right) entered the scoresheet as City moved within five points of league leaders Arsenal.
Liverpool have lost nine league games this season compared to two defeats throughout the whole of 2021/22
Television pundit Rio Ferdinand is among those surprised by the change in fortunes.
It seems they have lost that charm. It’s hard to say exactly why, but you look at the midfield and all the City players make their team.
‘I would be scared if you are a Liverpool fan in the top four. There are teams around them with games in hand, more consistent, and who seem to have an advantage over them. These are worrying times for Klopp and his team.