Klopp accepts responsibility for FA Cup exit
LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp accepted his side had been “very bad” after second-tier Wolverhampton Wanderers knocked them out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win at Anfield on Saturday.
Defeat in this fourth-round tie meant Liverpool, 10 points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, had been knocked out of two cup competitions in a matter of four days following their 2-0 aggregate loss to Southampton in the semifinals of the League Cup on Wednesday.
Wolves’ Richard Stearman stunned the home crowd by putting the visitors 1-0 up inside the first minute when he headed in a free-kick.
And four minutes before halftime, the Championship club doubled their lead when Andreas Weimann finished off an excellent counter-attack.
But, having rarely threatened, a much-changed Liverpool pulled a goal back when Divock Origi scored from close range with four minutes left following a corner.
That, however, was as good as it got for Liverpool, who have now won just one of their last eight matches in all competitions following a bright start to the season.
“We were very bad,” Klopp told BT Sport. “We started badly and it didn’t really get better. Everyone saw it. There are not a lot of good things to say about this game. It’s difficult to explain.”
Liverpool have now won just once, against fourthtier Plymouth in a third-round FA Cup replay, in 2017.
“If someone asks if this is the lowest point of my Liverpool time until now, I don’t know,” said Klopp. “But if it is it is a perfect moment to turn because it is not possible to go lower,” the German boss added.
As for the changes to his side, Klopp said: “I am responsible for the line-up. I am not allowed to blame a single player.”
Liverpool’s next game is a daunting clash at home to Chelsea on Tuesday and Klopp said: “It doesn’t make it easier for Chelsea, that game is not decided already.
“It’s up to us and if we play better we have a chance. If we don’t, we don’t have a chance.”
For Wolves, victory gave them a second Premier League scalp in this season’s FA Cup after they knocked Stoke City out in the third round and manager Paul Lambert said: “We’ll enjoy the ride. We might get dismantled in the next game but the last two (FA Cup) games have been unbelievable.” — SuperSport