The bitter defeat of his Liverpool FC had spoiled Jürgen Klopp’s mood. After the worst start to the season for the Reds in ten years, the coach has already written off the championship in England’s Premier League.
“We’re not in the title race,” Klopp said after the 2-3 (1-2) win at Arsenal. What else could he say with a 14-point gap to leaders Arsenal?
“We’re struggling at the moment,” admitted Klopp, who was just celebrating his seventh anniversary as Liverpool manager. His side have only won two games in their first eight Premier League games. On Sunday, champions Manchester City will come to Anfield with goal machine Erling Haaland. “Is this the perfect opponent to regain his confidence? Probably not,” said Klopp. Haaland has scored 15 goals in nine games of the season so far. Is Liverpool at risk of a debacle at home?
In London, the Liverpool fans who traveled with them must have felt like they were in the wrong movie when the euphoric Arsenal supporters sang “We are leaders”. You’ve heard that a lot at Anfield in recent years – it probably won’t be sung there this season. Liverpool, who nearly won four titles last season, have swapped roles with Arsenal for the time being.
Penalty whistle incomprehensible
The Reds certainly had chances of a point. Gabriel Martinelli (1st minute) and Bukayo Saka (45’+5/76′ from the penalty spot) scored for Arsenal, the visitors from Liverpool equalized twice through Darwin Núñez (34′) and Roberto Firmino (53′). “It was a really open game and I think we had a slight advantage,” said Klopp, “but then the penalty came.” He could not understand the decision to take a penalty in favor of Arsenal. “When two referees mean the same thing, that’s the truth we have to live with,” he said, slightly sarcastically.
The Liverpool coach, who has been in office for almost exactly seven years, was at least able to take a few positive things with him. “We showed some good things and could have gotten something,” he was sure. “I think a draw would have been a fair result but now we have to accept that and that’s okay.”
First Rangers, then Man City
The focus is now on the next important upcoming challenges: On Sunday there is a duel with the permanent rival Man City and the outstanding ex-Dortmunder Haaland. Before that, Liverpool could at least take an important step towards the round of 16 in the Champions League with a win at the pointless Glasgow Rangers.
Before the match on Wednesday, however, Klopp is threatened with two failures. Luis Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold had to be substituted against Arsenal. Diaz suffered from knee problems, Alexander-Arnold was hit on the ankle in a duel. The extent of the injuries was initially unclear. “In seven years Trent has never left the pitch if he could have continued playing,” said Klopp. “He was in too much pain and it swelled up immediately.”
A statement from the press conference also shows how serious the situation at Liverpool FC is and how much Jürgen Klopp is affected. “One of their colleagues told me he only knew me as someone who was happy and joking,” said the coach. “I don’t know exactly which Jurgen Klopp he knows. We’re not in the mood for jokes, nor are we happy. We’re in a difficult moment and we want to get through it together. And we’re working on that right now.”