Jurgen Klopp makes surprising admission after Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat

Jurgen Klopp TEAMtalk

Jurgen Klopp has said he never considered a team meeting after the midweek defeat to Chelsea – Liverpool’s third defeat in four games.

The Reds coach admitted he held a discussion with his players after the 3-0 reverse to Watford last weekend, but said a repeat was not necessary after the FA Cup defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Klopp highlighted that his seven changes in the capital meant his side were weakened – and admitted he was happy with the “reaction” he got despite the 2-0 defeat.

The German coach justified his midweek team selection by claiming: “We needed acceleration.”

That ultimately did not pay off, but Klopp has revealed he was happy with the performance and “liked a lot of parts of the game” and blamed a “freaky ball” and one which Adrian normally saves.

“We had a big meeting after Watford. It would have been silly if we’d done it after Chelsea when I made seven changes,” said Klopp, whose side face Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday.

“But I was fine with that. No-one wants to hear it from a manager after the game when you have lost, but it’s the truth. We had two big moments in that match where we could have scored, but didn’t.

“After Watford, I thought now we have to talk in more detailed way and we did. I saw a reaction from players [at Chelsea] but not all of then had something to do withe the game before. So we just carry on. I cannot make a meeting where it is the same. It doesn’t work. We are out of the FA Cup, we were out last year too. The opponents were strong, us not so much.”

 

 

 

“We don’t under-estimate [this run] it is the opposite of normal but we cannot change things just to get it back you have to rely on what has been good with more intensity. Force moments with quality, all that stuff.

“It’s not new. How can I saw we have to win there, at Atletico? It’s the opposite of normal for us but to find a way back, you cannot change things.

“You have to rely on the things that were good before. The boys want to get a result and respond in the right way. They want to show that.

“It’s not how you respond in meetings, it’s how you respond on the pitch.

“It is my job to help the players to be back where we want to be and where we feel we belong. We will give them all that help. Today, we train, make a lineup and play football.”

“Our training has been good. The boys who played at Chelsea they have recovery sessions, that is sports science. Not the day to show reaction. I get it but the only answer we can give is on the pitch. We cannot speak about all the things we talk about.”

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