Liverpool’s imperious leader remains calm amidst adversity as season threatens to turn south
Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp reacts ahead of the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in London on March 3, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool lost for the third time in four games as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Chelsea on Tuesday evening. Jurgen Klopp’s side were convincingly beaten 2-0 by the Blues, meaning the Merseyside club have now failed to score in three successive away matches and conceded six in that period. Having appeared to be on the cusp of invincibility, the mask is slipping for the Reds, but speaking after the game, Klopp refused to panic.
What did he say?
Speaking after the defeat at Stamford Bridge Klopp said: “Momentum went our way for so long because we defended outstandingly. Usually, you don’t get a lot of chances against us, but now we have to admit that in the last four games we conceded absolutely too many goals.”
When asked about how his side have not scored in any of their defeats the Liverpool boss said: “I have no arguments against the numbers. I know the number, and it’s not cool. We don’t want to concede, and we want to score more. We will have to show this reaction once more.”
Treble hopes dashed
In the space of a week, Liverpool have gone from looking utterly imperious to incredibly beatable. The result on Tuesday means their hopes of emulating Manchester United’s 1999 treble are dashed, and with Atletico Madrid to play in the Champions League next week, they could be left with just the league to focus on. After losing 1-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano, the tie is very much in Liverpool’s opponents’ favour. But it is a margin they are capable of overturning at Anfield, and they will take inspiration from the famous night on Merseyside against Barcelona last season where they overcame a 3-0 deficit.
If that Champions League last 16 tie goes awry, it will represent a somewhat subdued end to the campaign given the levels that Liverpool have reached in the Premier League. However, as the current champions of Europe and the World, fans of the Reds will likely not mind and rejoice in ending their 30-year wait for a league title having returned to their status as an utterly dominant force of English football.