Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Klopp given ‘bad feeling’ by one part of Liverpool cup exit; provides double injury update

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp called for a rule change after bemoaning the absence of VAR in the earlier rounds of the EFL Cup, and provided a double injury update on James Milner and Roberto Firmino.

Liverpool and Man City produced a pulsating affair on each of their competitive returns to action. The Reds’ grip on the EFL Cup was relinquished, though Klopp’s side didn’t go down without a fight.

Liverpool twice fought back after falling behind through goals from Fabio Carvalho and Mohamed Salah. However, Nathan Ake’s winner following yet another magnificent Kevin de Bruyne cross proved a bridge too far.

City’s reward is a trip to Southampton in the quarter-finals. For Liverpool, the main positive is their second half of the campaign won’t quite be as congested as they predicted.

Speaking after the match, Reds boss Klopp railed against the absence of VAR in the tie.

VAR only comes into effect in the EFL Cup from the semi-finals onwards due to the inability to implement the system at many lower league grounds.

Yet the clash on Thursday night was between two Premier League sides and Klopp bemoaned it’s absence, especially with several City attacks allowed to play out that were borderline offside.

“The first chance of Haaland, at the start of the game, was offside,” Klopp said post-match (via Sky Sports). “You don’t know? Yes it was. I tell you. That gives the game direction.

“It was like, bump, ‘oh my god, they are through’, it was offside, but no flag up, and it gives you a bad feeling.

“I would say if we had VAR, the referees are used to VAR, and all of a sudden you tell them not today. It looked like in a couple of situations they were waiting for it, or thinking there was still VAR.

“But there were a couple of offside decisions, where everyone in the stadium was convinced they were offside. We’ll never know probably because we can’t play them back.

“But it makes sense if you play a competition and everywhere is VAR [Premier League], why not, especially in a game like this.

“I understand in earlier rounds it’s not possible on all levels, but this, City-Liverpool, all the technical things are here, so why shouldn’t we use it?”

Defensive issues re-appear

On the game in general, Klopp stressed Liverpool could and should have done more for all three City goals.

“It was a difficult start, first 15 minutes we had problems,” added Klopp. “We know City have different ideas for different games and you always have to get used to it during a game, you never know what will happen.

“We were not compact enough, but we found a way back into the game, scored our goal, a wonderful goal, and we caused them problems as well.

“We should defend all three goals much better. Third goal especially, we are not switched on when they start their little routine. We were not in the right position, not enough players watching the ball. But we had our moments.

“It was a spectacular game, high intensity. A lot to take from it.”

Double Liverpool injury update

Liverpool were without Roberto Firmino for the tie. Klopp confirmed the Brazilian picked up an injury in training two days prior, though stressed it’s “not a big one”.

The ever-versatile James Milner then picked up a muscle injury during the contest. Milner’s reported hamstring injury doesn’t appear to be serious, per Klopp, though there’s less certainty than with Firmino.

Klopp said of Firmino pre-match: “We play mainly with the players who could do all the sessions now and had a break – apart from Bobby, who unfortunately got injured two days ago in training.

“Not a big one but big enough for this period. That’s why Darwin is now starting. He could’ve started anyway but Darwin is starting now.

On Milner post-match, the German concluded: “Milly is convinced it’s only a little, little, little thing.

“But he felt something and we just wanted to make sure it’s not getting worse.

“It’s something in the hamstring, I don’t know. We have to see.”

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