Klopp takes rap for Liverpool scare

LONDON: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said his overexuberant celebrations were to blame for his team almost throwing away victory in their pulsating 4-3 Premier League win at Arsenal on Sunday.

After Theo Walcott put Arsenal ahead at the Emirates Stadium, Philippe Coutinho scored twice and Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane also found the net as the visitors stormed into a 4-1 lead.

Klopp celebrated Mane’s goal by allowing the Senegalese forward to leap onto his back, but he had to endure a nervy finale as goals from Alex Oxlade- Chamberlain and Calum Chambers gave Arsenal hope. “I played a big part in the excitement of the last half hour, because it’s not allowed to celebrate the fourth goal like this with 35 minutes to go,” Klopp said.

“At this moment, we switched off the machines. The game was not over. Arsenal lost, but we gave them a path back into the game.

“Over the whole 90 minutes, though, it’s a deserved win. It’s always difficult winning in London against Arsenal.”

Brazilian playmaker Coutinho scored a stunning 25-yard freekick and a neat volley either side of half-time before hobbling off in the second half, but Klopp said he had just been suffering from cramp.

It was the third time in four seasons that Arsenal have lost at home in their opening Premier League game and there were boos both after Mane’s goal and at fulltime. — AFP