Lack of efficiency

Klopp after EL exit: “That’s really strange”

Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp(Bild: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The great comeback failed to materialize: Jürgen Klopp has to say goodbye to Liverpool FC without one last European Cup. The Europa League quarter-final against Atalanta Bergamo was the end of the line (aggregate score: 1:3). Klopp's side had conceded 67 goals in their last three games and won just one of them. "That's really strange," said the German.

For Klopp, who will leave the club in the summer after nine years and winning the Champions League in 2019, all that remains after winning the League Cup in February is the chance to win his second Premier League title since 2020. In the league, Liverpool are two points behind leaders Manchester City on 71 points. "Let's draw a line under this competition," said Klopp in an interview with "TNT Sports": "We would have wished for our people that we were going to Dublin, but it didn't happen. We still have one competition left - we'll throw everything we have into it." He was "not at all angry", Klopp emphasized to RTL. He was "actually rather proud, because the boys did a really great job."

"That's really strange"
Making up a 3-0 deficit from the first leg against Atalanta proved too difficult in the end. Liverpool only won the second leg 1-0 thanks to a Mohamed Salah penalty and Atalanta will now face Olympique Marseille in the semi-finals (2/9 May). Ultimately, a lack of efficiency was probably the main reason for their elimination. Klopp's team produced 67 shots in the "three games, one of which we didn't win. That's really strange. Really strange". They didn't play badly: "And that shouldn't be misunderstood."

Last weekend saw a 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace in the league. On Sunday, the Reds want to get back to winning ways at Fulham FC.