[ad_1]
– We made mistakes, massive mistakes, obviously, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said in an interview with Sky Sports broadcast on TV 2.
It was almost unbelievable when Tottenham swept Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
But it should turn out to be just the beginning of an almost surreal night of football in the Premier League.
Archrival Liverpool followed up with an at least equally shocking 7-2 loss to Aston Villa.
It’s not very often that manager Klopp has to explain losses at all, and at least not 7-2 losses. He couldn’t help but praise Aston Villa after the match.
– They did so well. So smart and physical and direct. This is not how we were. We had a great chance that we didn’t take advantage, but when you let seven in I don’t know if it would have helped anyway … says Klopp.
Villa shook Liverpool from the start. Less than four minutes were played when Liverpool goalkeeper Adrián was pressured and committed a desperate foul on a Villa player. A move later, Watkins was able to roll on the first goal.
Hat trick before the break
After the opening goal, Liverpool took control of the game. But after 23 minutes, Watkins was back in front. This time he came in a suction run from midfield, cut from the left with the ball and made it 2-0 with a brilliant shot.
PUT IN PLACE: Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp didn’t seem to know whether to laugh or cry on the sidelines.
Photo: PETER POWELL / AFP
After 33 minutes, Liverpool won the ball in midfield and made a quick transition. In the end, Mohamed Salah could cut to 2-1 with relative ease, and many may have thought that last season’s superb league winners would turn the game around.
Instead, it was only two minutes before Aston Villa scored again. This time Liverpool failed to clear from a corner kick, and John McGinn jingled the second ball into goal from long range.
After 39 minutes, an error by the local left defense allowed 39 minutes of play to take place. Ollie Watkins was back in his place, making his third night.
After the match, Watkins explained that Villa had decided to try to take advantage of Liverpool’s offensive style of play.
– We saw how hard they were playing and we thought we had to go after them. And it worked, says Watkins in an interview with Sky Sports shown on TV 2.
According to OptaJoe on Twitter, Watkins became the 10th player to score a Premier League hat trick against Liverpool, the first since Dimitar Berbatov in September 2010.
– That is incredible. I never thought I would score three goals here. But after the first one, I gained confidence and had opportunities. In fact, I think I should have had more, says Watkins.
First time since 1963
It shouldn’t start better after the Reds break. After 55 minutes, Ross Barkley jingled from long range, and with a Liverpool leg, the ball into the net to a slightly surreal 5-1.
But the goal celebration was not over yet. In the 60th minute, Mohamed Salah scored his second goal and Liverpool’s, again after a recovery and quick transition.
Then it was Aston Villa’s turn again after 65 minutes. Liverpool spoiled the ball in midfield and Jack Grealish hit a shot from long range. Once again, the ball hit a Liverpool player before it reached the net.
Thus, for the second time in the history of the Premier League, Liverpool had conceded six goals. According to Opta Joe, it had previously only happened in the 6-1 loss to Stoke in May 2015.
And still it was not the end. In the 75th minute, Jack Grealish arrived alone with Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian and put up a graceful 7-2.
We repeat: 7-2.
Once again, we rely on OptaJoe, who says Liverpool have not conceded seven goals in any game since April 1963, when they were beaten 7-2 by Tottenham.
