Jurgen Klopp vented his anger at a sluggish start that cost Liverpool dear, and laid out a laundry list of things his side did wrong versus Southampton.
The Reds’ slump in form continued as Danny Ings returned to haunt his former side with an early goal that would ultimately prove decisive.
Despite Klopp opting for what on paper appeared to be an attacking line-up pre-match, Liverpool struggled throughout to create clear-cut chances.
Trent Alexander-Arnold in particular laboured, losing possession 38 times so set a new record in the current season.
Alexander-Arnold vs. Southampton:
77 minutes played.
Possession lost 38 times (new record)
61.1% passing accuracy
1/4 dribble attempts
7/18 long balls completed
1 error leading to goal
1/7 ground duels won
Dribbled past 2 times.
0 aerial duels won
0 tackles
0 interceptions pic.twitter.com/JaSWXFeCVi— ًEIIis. (@UtdEIIis) January 4, 2021
Just one shot on target was registered, a tame scuffed effort from Sadio Mane that deputy goalkeeper Fraser Forster dealt with comfortably.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the match, Klopp said: “What was disappointing? How long have we got – the start obviously. Not only the goal but the start in general. Congratulations to Southampton they deserved it.
“You know exactly what you are going to get from them, you cannot be surprised but we looked surprised. At the beginning how we played, where we lost the balls, it’s not rocket science. We should have done much better. We played into their hands with the start.
“They put a lot of work in. Our decision making was just not good. That is how it is when you don’t have momentum. We should have had much more chances.
“These are outstanding players but they were not ready from the start. Sadio Mane should have had a penalty tonight, and there was the handball – I’ve no idea.
“It’s not an excuse for the performance but you can get a point if they are given. Now we have to show a reaction.”
This performance was not us – Henderson
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson also spoke to the press post-match, telling Sky Sports: “Starting slowly in games is not us. We didn’t score again, we’ve had chances and not put the ball in the back of the net in the last two games.
“We knew they would come out fast but we were sloppy, we gave away one or two free-kicks and you get punished in this league.”
Regarding his positional switch to centre-half, he concluded: “It’s difficult in a different position, I just tried to do my best.”
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