Klopp blames a dry pitch for his latest Euro stumble

JURGEN KLOPP blamed a dry pitch for Liverpool’s push for the Champions League floundering against Southampton. Liverpool have been in the top four since they beat Hull at home on September 24, but their chances of ending the campaign in one of those golden slots were compromised, once again, by their failure to break down Southampton’s stubborn resistance. James Milner apologised for missing a second-half penalty — the first time in 11 attempts for Liverpool — but Klopp was more inclined to look at why his side’s play was slowed rather than apportion blame to his captain, whose shot was saved by Fraser Forster. ‘I know nobody wants to hear it but I’m brave enough to say it,’ Klopp said. ‘The pitch was really dry. We gave all the water we had and after 15 minutes it was really dry because of the wind. You could see it was difficult and a lot of passes you thought “why are they playing this?” ‘In a possession game you need to have the best, if possible, and in a home game especially you need the best circumstances. Today we couldn’t have this. That is nobody’s fault. Everybody tried everything and it didn’t work out.’ Part of the reason Liverpool find themselves in such an awkward position is because their form at Anfield has tailed off. In nine games up to December 31, they won seven and took 23 points. In the subsequent nine games, they have accrued 15. ‘It is not nice to drop points at home but now we play away and then we have another home game,’ said Klopp. ‘We really still enjoy playing at home. It is only a mental issue if you think it is one. We don’t see this. The boys like it here, they like playing in front of their crowd. That is all.’ Milner was distraught at the

final whistle, gesturing an apology to the Kop as he traipsed off. His miss came after a delay in which Forster, the Southampton goalkeeper, scuffed the penalty spot and tried to hoodwink his old England team-mate. ‘You saw what they did,’ said Klopp. ‘I understand how you should handle a situation like this but on one side you people will say it is very smart because

he missed and other people will say it is not sporting.’ Milner said: ‘I’ve been around long enough to make sure that doesn’t worry me. I can’t do any more than hold my hands up. Southampton are a tough team to break down. We didn’t play as well as we would have liked.’ Southampton boss Claude Puel, who is now unbeaten in six games against Liverpool, said: ‘The penalty was harsh. Jack Stephens turns and the ball falls in his arms, but it was too harsh to concede a goal against this penalty. It was an important save.’