Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool feel ‘really rubbish’ after a second consecutive defeat and has fresh injury problems for the Europa League quarter-final with Atalanta.
The Reds had seemed almost unstoppable until they were swept aside 3-0 at Anfield by Atalanta in Thursday’s first leg of the Europa League quarter-final.
Gianluca Scamacca scored twice before the late Mario Pasalic strike completed the rout, giving La Dea a huge lead going into the second leg in Bergamo’s Gewiss Stadium next week.
They had been expected to pour all their resources into getting back on top of the Premier League table, but instead today suffered a shock 1-0 home loss to Crystal Palace.
It is the first time since 2012 that Liverpool have lost back-to-back competitive fixtures at Anfield.
“We wanted to show a reaction from the last game and we saw a reaction, just not the one we wanted. The team lacked conviction, our press was 40-50 per cent and there is nothing worse than an 80 per cent press to be honest,” Klopp told beIN Sports.
“The goal we conceded was horrendous. We should’ve turned it around in the second half, but we didn’t, because I can’t even explain how we didn’t convert those chances, it’s crazy.”
Another note that will reassure Italian supporters was the fact Liverpool again wasted several clear-cut scoring opportunities.
In the last three matches, the Reds had 67 shots on goal and only two of those ended up in the back of the net.
“Why should we win the League when we play like we did in the first half?” said Klopp, a statement that could well be passed on to their Europa League performance against Atalanta too.
“We feel really rubbish and need now a bit of time to process that. It’s a really bad moment. It’s the second home game in a row we lose and we are not used to that. We have to see how we react on that. We have to work on that.
“We will do that, of course. But I cannot say now that’s the starting point for the rest of the season. It doesn’t feel like it at this moment.”
To make matters worse, while ex-Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker returned after a long injury lay-off, Liverpool lost defender Conor Bradley.
He was replaced by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who made his first appearance in over two months.
Bradley could therefore miss the Atalanta match along with Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara and Ben Doak.
“He over-stretched. Whether it’s ligament damage or not, I don’t know yet. We will get that information on Monday or Tuesday,” added Klopp.
"If we play like that in the first half why should we win the league?"
Jürgen Klopp was reflective as Liverpool dropped points against Crystal Palace.
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