Klopp can’t stomach watching Reds collapse
LIVERPOOL — Jurgen Klopp said he felt like being sick after Liverpool conceded a late equalizer in its 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on Wednesday.
The Reds looked set for a crucial victory in their chase for Champions League soccer on Wednesday, having recovered from Benik Afobe’s early goal to lead 2-1 through goals by Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi.
For the most part, it was an especially encouraging performance for third-place Liverpool in the absence of injuredtopscorerSadioMane.
However, Klopp’s side could not see out victory after Coutinho was withdrawn with 25 minutes remaining after the Brazilian fell ill.
Andthemanagersaidthathe feltillhimselfafterJoshuaKing scored for Bournemouth with three minutes to go at Anfield.
“We had to change Phil because he felt sick at halftime,” said Klopp.
“He said he feels better now, so that is good, but it was clear when he made a signal that we had to make a change.
“There’s no joy when you have to take off your best player. He played really well.
“We could have closed the game in one moment, but we didn’t, we left it open,
“Then they scored from the second ball after a set-piece and it made me nearly vomit.
“We have to recover. It’s one pointmorethanbefore.It’snot what we wanted but we could have been worse. We have lost already games like this season, and today we didn’t so maybe that is a positive.
“We have to take it. It is my responsibility all of this, I have to be more clear but we will find a solution. Our set-pieces tonight I thought were really good.”
Liverpool has made a habit of defensive lapses this term and did so again on Wednesday, as Georginio Wijnaldum’s soft back pass allowed Afobe to give the Cherries a seventhminute lead.
Klopp said he took responsibility for any mistakes by his players, and added: “When my son does something that is not right, probably I have some part of the responsibility. I should have explained better.
“The bad things are my responsibility, the good things are the responsibility of the players. I think that is a good deal because I have the age to get it.”
Bournemouth’s point extended its unbeaten run to five matches, and the southcoast upstart looks increasingly likely to stave off relegation.
Eddie Howe’s side has recovered well from a poor run that yielded just two points from its first seven league matches of 2017.
Howe was particularly pleased with Ireland internationalHarryArterandon-loan Arsenal playmaker Jack Wilshere.
“There were two huge performances from them,” said of the midfield pair.
“If you’re loose in your shape, Liverpool will punish you. They were very disciplined.
“We defended very well, that is my first starting point.
“Everyone knows how precious every point is. To restrict themtolongshotswasasignal that our defensive display was very strong.
“We tweaked what we would normally do. Tactically, if you watch us every week away from home, we were a little bit more passive. We withdrew our strikers in the middle of the pitch.
“With the quality Liverpool has, if you switch off for a second, they punish you. Fortunately, we never gave up and were able to salvage an equalizer.”