Jurgen Klopp claimed he feels ‘really rubbish’ after Liverpool‘s 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace at Anfield and concedes that the Reds were ‘horrible to watch’ in the first half of their costly loss.
The Premier League title challengers came into the fixture needing a win to send them back above Manchester City but were undone by another early concession – from Eberechi Eze – that they were unable to recover.
Liverpool had a host of shots on the Eagles’ goal and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but Oliver Glasner’s side were resolute in defence, producing several stunning last-ditch recoveries.
Klopp admitted that he will need time to process the defeat and told Sky Sports that it feels ‘really, really rubbish.’
‘The first half we were open like “how can that happen?”‘ Klopp lamented post-match. ‘Curtis [Jones] was the only one really chasing, really getting out and from time to time broke their rhythm.
Jurgen Klopp saw his side lose ground to Manchester City and Arsenal in the Premier League title race
Liverpool were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal and weaknesses in defence
‘Beside that they [Palace] could just play through. They [Liverpool] were horrible to watch.’
Liverpool were not only hoping to bounce back from their disappointing 2-2 draw with Manchester United last weekend, but reaction was needed following their shocking 3-0 loss at home to Atalanta in midweek.
On both occasions the Reds boss saw his team squander countless opportunities before their structural inadequacies were laid bare.
‘Was this a hangover? Yes.’ Klopp continued. ‘That’s how humans react sometimes.
‘It’s not great but it happens. The conviction wasn’t there. We were much too far apart from each other. Last line too deep, the midfield wasn’t really there, first line didn’t start the press. So that’s all true.
‘Where’ it’s coming from? How can I answer that one 100%? But it’s only a few days ago that we played a bad game so it might have something to do with that. Actually it was a really good game, without scoring. But it’s not that easy unfortunately.’
Eberechi Eze’s 14th-minute strike was enough as Palace inflicted a rare home loss on the Reds
Reds supporters were left bemoaning their side as they lost ground in the three-way title race
Eze’s 14th-minute winner on Merseyside resigned Liverpool to their first home defeat since October 2022 and lifted the visitors eight-points clear of the relegation zone.
As for Reds, they anxiously await the result of Arsenal’s game against Aston Villa on Sunday evening. A win for the Gunners could see them three points of the top with six games to play.
