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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits that current performances are not at the level required to defend his title.
Having been undefeated for nearly four years at home in the league, Klopp’s side have now lost back-to-back games at Anfield, with Brighton repeating Burnley’s 1-0 win from a fortnight ago thanks to Steven’s first Premier League goal. Stand up
Liverpool have now been unable to score in three consecutive home league games for the first time since October 1984, not the required run before a home game against Manchester City on Sunday.
They have only won two of the last eight league games and it has left them fourth, seven points behind the Premier League leaders, who have a game in hand.
“The gap with City … I’m Liverpool’s manager so you ask and I have to say we want to be champions, but you need games for that and we need performances for that and we don’t have that,” Klopp said.
“We are fighting for the three points, it is not decided who will get the three points on Sunday. We have to play better and we will try.
“These gaps are not interesting at the moment. They are the result of the results that we already had.
“What we can influence is the next game. Tonight was not enough. We know it and we have to change that.”
“They were cooler than us tonight, they did more good things than us and we lost too many easy balls.”
Liverpool were missing forwards Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota, whose return from two months out with a knee injury cannot come soon enough, as well as Fabinho, defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gómez and goalkeeper Alisson Becker, absent. with a player not related to Covid. illness and replaced by Corkman Caoimhín Kelleher.
Klopp believes that fit players are beginning to feel the effects of those absences.
“Brighton won the game with reason, deserved. They were fresher than us tonight, they did more good things than us and we lost too many easy balls,” he added.
“We did not create much, for me the team looked fatigued tonight, mentally fatigued and that also leads to not being the best play.”
“We weren’t cool enough, which means we weren’t good enough to break up Brighton’s lineup.”
For the Seagulls, a third win in four games also marked their first league win over Liverpool since 1982.
“It’s a fantastic performance and a fantastic result. There is no way to escape. I thought we deserved the victory,” said head coach Graham Potter.
“I think the performance showed character and quality. I am very proud of the players, a great result for everyone associated with the club.”
“I thought the players were sensational tonight. They left everything on the field and I am very happy and proud.
“It wasn’t like we parked the bus and got a 1-0 win. It was one of quality, courage and effort.
“We deserved all three points.”
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