Klopp: I can’t defend my players. We must be better

JURGEN KLOPP said it is impossible for him to defend criticism of his players’ attitude as Liverpool’s season reached a new low. Liverpool have won only one of their last 10 matches in all competitions. They are without a win in the Premier League since December 31 and Klopp accepts they have a battle on their hands to qualify for Europe.

It should not be like this: Liverpool are unbeaten in games against the top six sides this season. But they have floundered against teams at the bottom end. It is an issue that Klopp said has left him bewildered.

‘We have to look at this; If you say this — I can understand,’ said Klopp. ‘You can have that view from outside. I understand we have the record we have against these teams and another record against the others.

‘I know the boys. I see them every day. They don’t show this during the week. We need to give the answers on the pitch. We produce our own problems. Obviously, we are doing it now. My mistake, our mistakes. ‘We can’t show it any more. In a few days we need to show we are ready for all the other games. If we could play our best against Spurs then prove the rest of it later that would be the best thing. ‘Even if we had won 2-1, I’d still be upset with the first half. I’m really interested in the performance because you can build on that. We will have to take all the criticism from everywhere.’ This is the most difficult period for Klopp since he arrived at Anfield in October 2015. It was, Klopp conceded, a woeful performance. Errors, such as that by Simon Mignolet (pictured) for the first goal, raise questions of Liverpool’s ability to stay in the top four. ‘We gave the first-half away and put ourselves under pressure,’ said Klopp. ‘We expect more from ourselves. We have to show more than we did today. It’s my responsibilty to make it possible.’