Leeds springs upset to leave Reds reeling
JURGEN Klopp admitted Liverpool is putting Champions League football next season at risk with a disastrous start to the season after Leeds stunned Anfield with a 2-1 win on Sunday.
Crysencio Summerville’s 89th minute goal inflicted the Reds’ first home league defeat in front of a crowd since 2017.
Liverpool has now lost twice as many games in the first 12 matches of this campaign as it did in 38 last season.
Klopp’s men are 13 points behind Manchester City at the top of the table and eight adrift of the top four.
“We cannot qualify for the Champions League if you play as inconsistent as we do in the moment,” Klopp said.
For the second time in a week, Liverpool was beaten by a side that started the day in the relegation zone.
Klopp again blamed the loss on injuries and a brutal schedule ahead of the World Cup.
“The situation is like it is. There is no excuse but we had problems from the first day with injuries or half-fit players. Some play too often, others play too early (after injury).”
Leeds began the night second bottom of the table but climbed out of the relegation zone thanks to a first win in nine games.
That winless run had left Jesse Marsch fighting to save his job. “Everybody has made a big deal about firing me, but the board and I have been unified and we’ve stuck together,” said the American.
“My feeling is that we shouldn’t be in the situation we’re in, but we are. I’ve tried to stay calm, but I’ve also tried to push. The players have stepped up big today.”
Summerville produced a moment of genius to give Leeds all three points and set up a memorable 21st birthday on Monday. “My birthday is going to be special,” he said.