Mega mistake, expulsion, frustration
At Arsenal FC, almost everything goes against Klopp’s Liverpool team
February 5, 2024, 6:14 a.m
Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool FC are suffering a serious setback in the Premier League title race. A huge misunderstanding between the goalkeeper and the defense chief causes the game against Arsenal to be overturned. Klopp takes it calmly and distributes a small tip.
Coach Jürgen Klopp took a sporting approach to Liverpool FC’s 3-1 defeat against Arsenal FC. “In general, it wasn’t our day, we weren’t good enough today. They scored goals and were a lot 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 since last September in the Premier League. Bukayo Saka (14th) gave Arsenal an early lead from close range after national player Kai Havertz had been denied by Liverpool keeper Alisson. Shortly before the break, a curious own goal from Gabriel (45th + 3) ensured the Reds’ flattering equalizer. Gabriel Martinelli (67th) restored the old lead. Leandro Trossard (90th + 2) the final score.
Arsenal made the title race exciting again with their success against the leaders and reduced the gap to Klopp’s team to two points. However, champions Manchester City have played two fewer games and can still overtake both teams in the table. Meanwhile, Man United celebrated their second win 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 continues to fall far short of its own expectations.
“I take full responsibility for the goal”
Arsenal were clearly superior until shortly before half-time, but shortly before the break Liverpool unexpectedly equalized. After the break the match was more open. But a major misunderstanding between Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and defense chief Virgil van Dijk initiated the defeat.
“I take full responsibility for the goal, I made the wrong decision. I should have just hit the ball away,” said van Dijk. The Dutch international saw his team as very dominant at this point, “we had everything under control. And then the turning point comes with the mistake,” said the 32-year-old and added: “Things like that haven’t happened too often in my career, it hurts.” The defeat was unnecessary in many respects.
Liverpool also had to accept a yellow-red card for Ibrahima Konaté (88th) in the final phase after a foul on Havertz and conceded a third goal a little later. “Whether it was a red card? I’m not sure. But even without it we lose 2-1 and only have one shot on goal,” said Klopp, defending his players: “It just shows that the boys are human. Today We were really human.” But Klopp couldn’t resist a little taunt at the referee. “Many things were against us today,” said the coach, who will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after almost nine years.