Leaky Liverpool gives Klopp more cause for concern
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was “sick of conceding goals” after his side’s defensive problems returned to haunt the Reds in a 2-0 League Cup loss to Leicester City on Tuesday.
Klopp’s side enjoyed 70 percent possession in the thirdround tie and had 21 shots compared to Leicester’s eight, but failure to cope with basic defensive tasks proved costly.
Liverpool has recorded two shutouts in nine matches so far this season and is winless in four games in all competitions.
Leicester substitute Shinji Okazaki took advantage in the 65th minute when the Reds failed to clear a corner and the Japan forward’s deflected shot crept into the net.
Liverpool’s defense was also culpable in the 78th minute, switching off from a throw-in, although Islam Slimani’s leftfooted finish into the top corner was sublime.
“We played really good football in the first half, we should have decided the game early. We had big chances, strange situations but it’s football, it’s at least a 90-minute game,” said Klopp, whose side was held to a 1-1 draw at home to Burnley in the Premier League last Saturday.
“It’s second ball after a corner, I think, and a throw-in again. I’m sick of goals like this, to be honest. You cannot play football and do that.
“Leicester somehow survived in the game because we are not clinical enough. That’s sometimes OK but then you need to stay concentrated until the end and at least you don’t allow them to score ... and, yeah, they scored too easily,” the German added.
“I can say it one time or 1,000 times or whatever — it’s not nice to have to concede these goals.”
Klopp said playing well for 45 minutes was irrelevant.
“Nobody was interested in who played the better first half, everyone was interested in who will go through and we are not the team that will be in the next round for some good reasons.” he said. “We wanted to go to the next round.”
Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho was substituted at halftime, but Klopp said it was not through injury.
“It was clear that 45 is his limit; we need to make him fit but we cannot push him through too quickly. That’s all,” he said.
The Reds visit Leicester’s King Power Stadium again on Saturday in the Premier League, hoping to get their game back on track.
“Will I still feel sick when I come back here on Saturday? I lost more games in my life unfortunately and, believe me or not, tomorrow morning I am fine,” he said.