Klopp: Liverpool not in title race News

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Klopp: Liverpool not in title race

By Daily Sports Nigeria on October 10, 2022

By contrast, Liverpool's third defeat of the season confirmed their worst points return at this stage of a Premier League campaign in 10 years.

The Reds have 10 points on the board after eight games - 14 shy of leaders Arsenal - and their early-season stutters have forced manager Jurgen Klopp to concede their title chances are already over.

"We're not in the title race," Klopp said. "We have problems at the moment, but we have to continue. In a situation like ours, we will go out there and fight. We are not here for being happy with the situation and thinking about last year.

"We are very disappointed. Around all three goals we made decisive mistakes. The first goal is not what you need. A bad start.

"We start controlling the game against a very aggressive, full-of-confidence Arsenal side. We showed we're here for a reason, scored an equaliser, a wonderful goal. Then it's an open game and advantage for us.

"Then we make a bad decision before half time, what are we doing? Worst possible start, worst possible end."

Klopp questioned the decision to penalise Thiago Alcantara's challenge on Gabriel Jesus, which handed Arsenal their winner, and not to punish Gabriel Magalhaes for handball in the first half.

"Arsenal came out very aggressive [for the second half]. We scored an equaliser, then a real open game, slight advantage for us. Then the penalty happens," he added.

"He thought immediately it was a penalty, which was interesting. [VAR] Mr England had a look and if two refs think the same it's the truth we have to live with.

"If there was contact - and I'm not sure there was but there might have been soft contact - the player goes again on both feet and then down and that's an indication something might have been made up… But not for the refs.

"But they thought it was clear not a handball in the first half when Diogo put the pull on [Gabriel's] arm. We cannot change that."

With Manchester City travelling to Anfield next, Liverpool's defeat was compounded by injuries to Luis Diaz, who was withdrawn in the first half, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was brought off during the interval.

"Luis Diaz we had to change, something with the knee, not good," Klopp explained. "He will have a scan.

"On top of that, Trent's is bad with his twisted ankle. Trent never in seven years went off if he could play on. Much pain, swelling immediately...

"Our situation now is a really difficult one. With injuries on top of that. These decisions go against you, it's kind of typical but doesn't help. We've lost the game with a lot of good moments, and could have got a result. A draw would have been a deserved result."

Source Sky Sports

Posted October 10, 2022