Klopp explains what went wrong as Liverpool gear up for ‘proper final’

Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool “looked like butchers” in their Champions League defeat to PSG.

First-half goals from Juan Bernat and Neymar ensured a 2-1 win for PSG at Parc Des Princes. James Milner pulled one back from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time, but it wasn’t enough.

Liverpool must beat Napoli by more than one goal on the final matchday to qualify for the knockout stages – although, due to goal difference, a 1-0 win would also do the job, as that would make their head-to-head records equal.

Klopp told BT Sport: “The start was like what we expected, it was very wild and intense and they took all the risks. They scored twice by winning the second ball. We still had to stay in the game, but as soon as we had a bit of control, you saw the game wasn’t decided. We tried everything but we didn’t have enough clear chances. We had two or three promising situations but with one or two decisions they would have been.

“When a game starts like that it is difficult to gain confidence so it was never our game. Another little hurdle we had to overcome was the 500,000 disruptions in the second half and the referee still thinks he did everything right. We are one of the fairest teams in England but tonight we looked like butchers. We have to take the result but it still feels a bit rubbish and now we have to use Anfield one more time.”

Klopp then criticised some of the refereeing decisions in an intense physical match.

“I saw the penalty, it was inside the box but he didn’t even give a foul. Then I saw the Marco Verratti foul and wow. We were not really good, but it was a tight game in a really important competition. We had five or six yellow cards which is crazy.

“It is our job to take it, but I am still a bit emotional about it. We will fly back and prepare for the derby. Then on the 11 December we have a proper final at Anfield.”

The German was unfazed by the complicated permutations of the final group match against Napoli.

“Good. We will score a goal and then final whistle will happen and we can go home.”

 

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