Liverpool FC stumble against arch-rivals Manchester United for the second time in three weeks. After the 2:2 draw, Jürgen Klopp explained what mistakes must not be made now
The conclusion was both honest and sobering. “We should have won both games against United and we didn’t,” said Jürgen Klopp after the 2-2 draw on Sunday afternoon: “That’s our fault.” Three weeks ago, Liverpool lost dramatically at Old Trafford 3-4 after extra time in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
This time too, Liverpool were the dominant team, creating chances but lacking the necessary killer instinct. Klopp obviously had “mixed feelings”. To lead 1-0 and have 15-0 shots was “unbelievable”. But his team must become “calmer and clearer” in front of goal.
Calm is also the key word, and Klopp is calling for it from the fan community. “We are where we are and we will continue to go full throttle,” promised the LFC coach: “Do I wish we had a ten-point difference? Yes, of course. And now people will say to us: ‘Arsenal have the better goal difference, we have to go for it now’. That would be the stupidest thing we could do now. That doesn’t happen when you set your mind to it. You don’t go into a game and say you’re going to score eight goals today and then it happens.” Liverpool are +42, Arsenal +51.
“And I’m absolutely happy with that “
The home games against Atalanta (April 11) and Crystal Palace (April 14) are followed by four away games in a row. “We are where we are, we are where we are and that’s why we are still in the race. And I’m absolutely happy with that,” Klopp made clear.
He did not want to blame youngster Jarell Quansah, who was at fault for the equalizer, or any other Liverpool player, as these players were also the ones “who got us to this point.”
“When you are so dominant in many areas of the game, we should win the game. That’s true,” said Klopp: “But that doesn’t mean you win.” It was “not the best result I have ever seen”. But the team and he would also recover from it.
Klopp does not necessarily see the fact that Arsenal still have to play at Old Trafford on the penultimate matchday as an advantage. “Arsenal are a good team and if they play like they did in the 3-0 win at Brighton on Saturday, Arsenal will win the game. I’m 100 percent sure of that. I’m really sorry to say that, but it’s a fact,” the 56-year-old replied dryly to a journalist’s question.
Liverpool must first do their homework – and not get too carried away in terms of attacking fireworks