Mega-blunder, expulsion, frustration
At Arsenal FC almost everything is going against Klopp’s Liverpool
Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool FC have suffered a severe setback in the Premier League title race. A huge misunderstanding between the goalkeeper and the head of defence turns the game against Arsenal FC around. Klopp takes it in his stride and makes a quick dig.
Coach Jürgen Klopp took Liverpool FC's 1:3 defeat against Arsenal FC in good spirits. “In general, it wasn't our day, we weren't good enough today. They scored goals and were much 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 in the Premier League since last September. Bukayo Saka (14th) gave Arsenal an early lead from close range after national player Kai Havertz had previously been denied by Liverpool keeper Alisson. Shortly before half-time, a curious own goal by Gabriel (45th+3) gave the Reds a flattering equaliser. Gabriel Martinelli (67th) restored the old lead. Leandro Trossard (90th+2) made it the final score.
Arsenal made the title race exciting again with their victory against the league leaders and reduced the gap to Klopp's team to two points. However, champions Manchester City have played two games less and can still overtake both teams in the table. Man United, meanwhile, celebrated their second victory in a row. The English record champions won 3-0 (1-0) against West Ham United and jumped to sixth place in the table. Chelsea FC, on the other hand, lost 2-4 (1-2) against Wolverhampton Wanderers and are still far behind their own expectations.
“I take full responsibility for the goal”
Arsenal were clearly superior until just before half-time, but shortly before the break Liverpool unexpectedly equalised. After the break the match was more open. But a major misunderstanding between Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and defence chief Virgil van Dijk led to the defeat.
“I take full responsibility for the goal, I made the wrong decision. I should have just cleared the ball away,” said van Dijk. The Dutch international saw his team as very dominant at the time, “we had everything under control. And then the mistake was the turning point,” said the 32-year-old, adding: “Things like that haven't happened too often in my career, it hurts.” The defeat was unnecessary in many ways.
In the closing stages, Liverpool also had to accept a yellow-red card for Ibrahima Konaté (88th) after a foul on Havertz and a short time later they conceded their third goal. “Was it a red card? I'm not sure. But even without it, we lost 2-1 and only had one shot on goal,” said Klopp, defending his players: “It just shows that the boys are human. Today we really were human.” But Klopp couldn't resist a little dig at the referee. “A lot of things went against us today,” said the coach, who will leave Liverpool at the end of the season after almost nine years.
