[ad_1]
Jurgen Klopp felt it was as if his Liverpool players were “shocked” by how well Southampton played at St Mary’s.
Southampton made a perfect start as they were ahead after just two minutes. James Ward-Prowse hit the ball into the box from a free kick.
Trent Alexander-Arnold missed the ball that allowed Ings to enter the goal. The forward threw it brilliantly over Alisson and into the net to put his side in front.
The pros and cons of shutting down football again
The Saints enjoyed a great first half as Liverpool struggled to get going. Jurgen Klopp’s team did better in the second half but struggled to find that all-important breakthrough.
The Premier League champions only managed one shot on goal in the full 90 minutes. That effort came in the 75th minute from Sadio Mane.
Southampton was worth the three points. This result moves Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team to sixth place and they are now just four points behind Liverpool.
Klopp’s men are still the best in the league, but Man United can move three points clear if they win the game in hand.
Man City also has two games in hand against the Reds. If Pep Guardiola’s men win both, they will beat Liverpool by two points.
Talking to BBC Sport After the match, Klopp insisted that Southampton deserved the win on Monday night:
What was disappointing? How much time do we have? The beginning, obviously. Not just the goal but the start in general. Congratulations to Southampton, they deserved it.
“You know exactly what you are going to get out of them, you can’t be surprised, but we seemed surprised. In the beginning, how we played, where we lost our balls, it’s not rocket science. We should have done much better. We play in your hands from the beginning.
“They worked a lot. Our decision making was not good. This is when you have no drive. We should have had many more opportunities.
“They are outstanding players but they were not prepared from the beginning. Sadio Mane should have had a penalty tonight, and there was handball, I have no idea.
“It’s not an excuse for acting, but you can get a point if you get it. Now we have to show a reaction. “
[ad_2]