Liverpool put in a much better game than when the team lost 3-0 at the same ground two weeks ago, but after Kaoru Mitoma’s goal in extra time the result was the same, and the Reds were knocked out of the FA Cup where they were reigning supreme. Last season’s champions.
The Reds were so passive when they missed an unnecessary and dangerous free kick outside the penalty area in extra time, before Pervis Estupinan had all the space in the world at the back post when he got hit. It wasn’t there, and the players turned their backs when Mituma showed off his excellent technical skills and scored the winning goal.
Body language was something Jurgen Klopp addressed in his post-match press conference.
– We have to develop, we have to do better. body language. Some boys need to do a lot better. Klopp said the defensive play in our squad needs to be improved by some players.
– But again, in our last game here, we couldn’t win. Today, I don’t think anyone would be surprised if we won the match. It wouldn’t be like people were saying, “Oh my God, how could that happen?” So that’s fine, the manager continues.
– But today and at the tournament it was not good enough, and therefore we were eliminated.
Much better than last time
Klopp didn’t say who he was talking about, but it doesn’t seem inconceivable that Fabinho could be one of them after his late intervention. He did not play long, but was only on the field for a minute before making a rough tackle on the young Evan Ferguson, for which he probably should have been sent off. Run away with yellow. The Irish attacker was in great pain, and the extent of the damage is still unclear.
Better body language, what more can be said? asked Klopp when he received a follow-up question on the matter.
– When I talk about body language, it wasn’t good, next time it should be better. There is nothing else to say about it. I’m not in heaven after our performance, but then again, the only thing that happened today is that we lost to a very good team who lost 3-0 two weeks ago in a terrible game. Today was much better. With today’s performance two weeks ago, it will also look different. This is a step in the right direction.
– I understand 100 percent, and I’m not sitting here thinking “what are they talking about”. I’m not happy with the match. I understand 100% where it’s coming from, but this is the situation we’re in. There is no other way, and you know as well as I do that we have to fight our way through it. You’d never hear a manager sitting here in a situation like that and saying “And by the way, we’re going to change that and then you’re going to look at the wolves, that’s how it is.” He says it just doesn’t work that way, which is why we have to keep working on it.
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