Coach Jürgen Klopp took a sporting approach to Liverpool FC’s 3-1 defeat against Arsenal FC. “In general it wasn’t our day, we weren’t good enough today. They scored goals and were a lot better than us. We have to play better, that’s clear,” said the 56-year-old after the second defeat of the season and the first since last September in the Premier League.
Arsenal, with German national soccer player Kai Havertz, made the title race in England exciting again with their success against the leaders and reduced the gap to Klopp’s team to two points. However, champions Manchester City have played two fewer games and can still overtake both teams in the table.
“Many things were against us today”
Arsenal were clearly superior until shortly before half-time, but shortly before the break Liverpool unexpectedly equalized. After the break the match was more open. But a major misunderstanding between Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and defense chief Virgil van Dijk initiated the defeat.
“I take full responsibility for the goal, I made the wrong decision. I should have just hit the ball away,” said van Dijk. The Dutch international saw his team as very dominant at this point, “we had everything under control. And then the turning point comes through the mistake,” said the 32-year-old and added: “Things like this haven’t happened too often in my career, it hurts.” The defeat was unnecessary in many respects.
Marcus Erberich, Christopher Meltzer and Daniel Theweleit Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 21 A comment from Peter Penders Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 46 Marcus Erberich, Manchester Published/Updated: Recommendations: 14
In the final phase, Liverpool also had to accept the yellow-red card for former Bundesliga professional Ibrahima Konaté (88th) after a foul on Havertz and conceded the third goal a little later. “Was it a red card? I’m not sure. But even without that we lose 2-1 and only have one shot on goal,” said Klopp, defending his players: “It just shows that the boys are human beings. Today we were truly human.”
But Klopp couldn’t resist a little taunt at the referee. “Many things were against us today,” said the coach, who will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after almost nine years.
