Liverpool supervisor Jurgen Klopp believes his facet’s incapability to take care of aggressive man-to-man marking over the pitch was a key motive behind their 3-0 loss at house to Atalanta.
The Reds’ hopes of sending Klopp off in a blaze of European glory had been dealt a major blow with an enormous defeat within the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
Former West Ham United striker Gianluca Scamacca gave Atalanta the lead simply earlier than half-time after which doubled their benefit on the opposite facet of the break. Mario Pasalic, as soon as on the books at Chelsea, rounded off the scoring within the ultimate 10 minutes to seal a well-known win for the Serie A facet.
In his post-match press convention, Klopp bemoaned how Liverpool carried out, however was additionally eager to reward Atalanta’s show.
“We are able to make the shortest press convention of all time, it simply was a very unhealthy recreation, oh my God,” he mentioned. “So we began properly, very well, after which did not proceed. I believe even earlier than they scored however we simply misplaced the plot a little bit bit, like we had been in all places and nowhere.
“We performed a foul recreation, we deserved to lose and we should really feel that now. However the boys have precisely this evening to really feel unhealthy about it after which we now have to construct up once more for the Crystal Palace recreation [on Sunday], in order that’s how it’s. You ask me in all probability concerning the recreation subsequent Thursday however there may be Crystal Palace in between. So, congratulations Atalanta, very well finished.”
When requested if there was a motive behind Liverpool’s collapse, Klopp replied: “It is simple – Atalanta are inflicting many groups issues with the way in which they defend.
“Possibly I am flawed however I can not now keep in mind conditions the place they outplayed us, it is simply they gained the ball and so they went from there, so it is a good suggestion. You want loads of tactical self-discipline to do what they did. They play that man-marking over the entire pitch – Ederson urgent whoever, Curtis [Jones] in our personal field, stuff like that.
“That was the explanation why they gained the sport, as a result of in these moments you simply wish to win the ball. Man-marking is uncomfortable when you’re not on prime of your recreation. That is why so many groups play it once more. However should you play, if you’re in a greater taking part in temper than we had been tonight then you possibly can trigger large issues – however we did not. In order that’s the explanation.
“They defended us and we did not attempt it lengthy sufficient to play, so then we simply suffered from their manner, the way in which they defended. That is just about the reason, that is the one level.”
