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Jurgen Klopp (Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp admitted his surprise at Liverpool’s impressive collapse as they lost 7-2 at Aston Villa on Sunday.
Ollie Watkins scored a hat-trick in the first half and the Reds became the first reigning English champions to concede seven goals in a league game since 1953.
“It was unexpected, but it happened tonight,” Klopp said. “We put all of our stuff and mistakes in one game and hopefully we can start over.”
Liverpool’s high line was shattered by Villa’s counterattack, while goalkeeper Alisson Becker was notably absent due to injury and Sadio Mane due to a positive coronavirus test.
The Reds were not defeated until their 28th league game in the title race last season and had won their first three games of the new season.
Alisson’s absence had a resounding impact after just four minutes to put Villa in front when Adrian’s bad pass was taken advantage of by Jack Grealish, who squared for Watkins to score his first Premier League goal.
“The first goal had an impact, but it shouldn’t have,” Klopp added. “Adrian made a mistake, but we conceded goals like this in the past. So we lost the plot.”
Despite a two-week break until they play again, Klopp has little time to make corrections in training camp with most of his team out on international duty.
On their return, Liverpool travel to the leader of the table Everton, who will be looking to win a Merseyside derby for the first time in a decade.
“I would love to have a training session tomorrow and Tuesday and talk about it, but the guys are coming back to international service,” Klopp said. “Hopefully they come back healthy and we use the two days to prepare for Everton.”
Grealish was again the creator of Watkins’ second with a long ball down the side of the Liverpool defense and the former Brentford striker cut inward before shooting into the top corner.
Mohamed Salah appeared to have given the visitors a foothold in the match when he slammed into his trusty left foot.
But Villa quickly regained his mattress of two goals when an effort by John McGinn from the edge of the area was diverted towards Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool’s high line was being trapped even on set pieces, as six minutes before half-time Trezeguet broke the offside trap to cross for Watkins and become the first player in a decade to score a hat-trick. ‘against Liverpool.
“When Jurgen Klopp says ‘wow’ you know you’ve done something right,” Villa boss Dean Smith said. “The guys were excellent, they executed the game plan perfectly. We were at our best today.”
Fortune favored Villa’s desire not to just lead after the break when Ross Barkley’s long-range effort edged out defenseless Adrian to make it 5-1.
Salah stayed sharp in front of goal to push one of the 100 away for Liverpool with a brilliant pass shot from Roberto Firmino.
Klopp moved midfielder Firmino on his back four early in the second half, but did nothing to stop the flow of attacks from Villa that ripped through his defense.
Grealish completed a deflected hat-trick when his shot hit Fabinho and missed again at Adrian.
Watkins missed two big chances to score his fourth when Adrian saved a one-on-one before hitting the crossbar.
Grealish, however, was more clinical when he ran to round out a notable victory.
Villa stayed up by just one point on the final day of last season, but have now won their first three games of the new league campaign to move to second place.
“We will not become complacent, but we will enjoy tonight because results like that don’t happen too often,” Smith added.
