Jurgen Klopp bemoans at referee after Alisson verdict as Liverpool hand Chelsea boost
Despite his team’s defeat by West Ham United on Sunday evening, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insisted he remains “calm.”
The Reds fell 3-2 to the Hammers at the London Stadium, leaving them four points behind Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Divock Origi scored for the visitors, who also got an own goal from Alisson and goals from Pablo Fornals and Kurt Zouma.
Chelsea fans will be relieved to see Liverpool defeated after the Blues’ 1-1 draw at home to Burnley just over 24 hours earlier.
In an interview with Sky Sports following the defeat to West Ham, Klopp expressed his displeasure with the decision to allow the opening goal for the hosts, with Alisson under immense pressure – something the German felt was illegal and should have been flagged.
“The first goal was a foul on Ali – how can he catch the ball when someone moves his arm away? It makes no sense,” Klopp said.
“The second-half, we did not play as clear as we did in the first-half. We were not clinical enough or ruthless enough considering the possession we had.
“The second set-piece we conceded was a very good set-piece – it was very difficult to contend. For me, Cresswell’s challenge on Hendo is a reckless challenge. You cannot go like this and you have to control your body. For me, it’s reckless.”
The Liverpool boss added: “I am calm – today we lost but I accept that, but in moments you need a normal decision from the referee and today he did not do that.
“We can be better, 100 per cent. You cannot always play your best result, you have to grind out a result but they scored three goals and we did not.
“We hope and pray the boys play the games for their countries, recover well, and come back healthy.”
Klopp does not appear pleased with the manner of Liverpool’s defeat, but at this early stage of the season, he will be well aware that nothing has been decided.
Having said that, it is a huge result for Chelsea, whose fans were disappointed after losing two points at home to Burnley on Saturday.
After the stalemate at Stamford Bridge, Thomas Tuchel stated that the Clarets were “very lucky” to pick up a point in west London.
“(Burnely were) very lucky but that’s football. Were we lucky in the first of these seven matches to escape with a clean sheet against Brentford? Yes, we were. So, of course, they were lucky but that’s why everyone loves the game because it’s possible to win matches like this,” the Blues boss said.
“I stick with my feelings from the sidelines, I have proof from the data we have now that we had a fantastic match. I liked the attitude, I liked the intensity and the concentration levels.
“This is our seventh game in a row, we come from away games, from Champions League games, and to play a team like Burnley that always believes, puts long balls in and out of the box, and we keep them out and keep them out at the level.
“We collected first and second balls, did so much invisible work as a team to control a match like this.
“We created so many chances so it was a fantastic effort and a fantastic performance. So I am super happy. It can happen in football, sometimes unfortunately like today, that somebody else steals some points and is lucky.
“As I said, we were lucky to walk away with a clean sheet from Brentford and we were lucky today to get the result. It happens sometimes.”
ALSO READ:
- Manchester United have one thing Real Madrid can’t offer Harry Kane
- Latest Chelsea transfer news: Mauricio Pochettino first Chelsea signing confirmed as Real Madrid contact Kai Havertz
- Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool: Medical, shirt number, wages and everything we know
- Tottenham agree contract with Ange Postecoglou to make him their new manager
- Chelsea decide ‘top two transfer targets’ after scrapping Manuel Ugarte deal
Jurgen Klopp bemoans at referee after Alisson verdict as Liverpool hand Chelsea boost
