Jurgen Klopp pointed to Liverpool’s lack of determination in their unexpected 0-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace, a setback that complicated the Reds’ quest for the Premier League title this weekend.
Prior to that defeat, Klopp’s side hadn’t lost at Anfield for 14 months in all competitions, until the recent 0-3 defeat to Atalanta in the Europa League quarter-finals. The German coach didn’t see the reaction he expected from his team, especially after Crystal Palace scored through Eberechi Eze in a high-scoring first half.
Despite an improvement from Liverpool in the second half, the team was hampered by a lack of effective finishing, something that has been a constant in recent weeks. As a result, Palace picked up only their second win in 10 games.
Klopp expressed his frustration, saying: “I’m totally disappointed”.
“The first half was decisive for the problems we faced in the second half. Our intention was to react to the previous performance, and although we saw a reaction, it wasn’t the one we expected. It was clear that the team wasn’t fully committed. We lacked determination”, concluded the coach.
The defeat leaves Liverpool two points behind Man City with six games remaining in the Premier League season.
Klopp’s men have three away games before returning to Anfield, playing Fulham, Everton and West Ha in the next two weeks.
And the Liverpool manager knows he has to regain top form if he is to have any chance of ending his reign with a second league title in 34 years.
“It’s up to us what that means,” he said.
