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Jurgen Klopp re-marked the Premier League calendar but refused to blame the match list for Liverpool’s shock 2-0 loss to Atalanta on Wednesday.
The Reds squandered their chance to qualify for the Champions League round of 16 with two games to spare, as goals from Josip Ilicic and Robin Gosens gave the Italian team a 2-0 win at Anfield.
It was Liverpool’s first loss at home in a 90-minute match since September 2018, and the Premier League champions failed to register a shot on goal against Atalanta’s goal.
Klopp, whose Liverpool team travels to Brighton in the first leg at 12.30pm on Saturday, said his team lacked intensity as they embark on a tough roster of matches between now and Christmas.
He told BT Sport after the Atalanta game: ‘I’m scared to say it, but I think (losing momentum) could happen not only to us, but also to other teams.
‘You (BT Sport), my special friends, ask us to go on Saturday at 12.30pm, which is almost a crime to be honest. It has nothing to do with tonight’s game, but congratulations on that.
‘My only interest at the moment is that you raise your thumb, no one injured, let’s recover immediately. We take it.
‘The guys are completely disappointed, frustrated, really, but we don’t have time to be honest. It’s just getting fresh legs as quickly as possible and starting over, that’s all. ‘
Despite the short time between games this season, Liverpool have started the season well and are at the top of the Premier League table, but a long injured list has threatened to damage their campaign.
With players like Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Thiago Alcantara without long-term problems, Klopp left players like Roberto Firmino, Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota in the starting lineup against Atalanta.
But Klopp said Wednesday’s Champions League tie was so intense that his substitute players had a hard time keeping up with procedures at Anfield.
The German added: “ Usually when the first half is over, you’re a bit more settled, but for some players who didn’t play for a while, you could see that it was very intense for them, so we really didn’t find a way to get in. the game to create.
We didn’t have enough bodies between the lines, there weren’t enough bodies behind and all this kind of thing.
‘I’m not surprised. It’s difficult to win a match (when you don’t have a shot on goal).
BT Sport expert Rio Ferdinand did not feel much sympathy for Klopp after he ranted about the match list after Atalanta’s match.
The former Manchester Untied defender argued: ‘Everyone is in the same boat. They don’t do well, but when you look at the depth of their squad, they’re sitting in a better position than most.
“With the schedule they have had lately and they have also had some injuries, it is a challenge and you can understand the frustrations. He is the one who speaks loudest right now
Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch added: ‘It was accepted (the match list) by the clubs at the start of the season and we are in unprecedented circumstances.
“Managers have complained about a lot of games since the beginning of time. I remember Sir Alex Ferguson used to talk a lot about international games. It will always go on. ‘
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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