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  Klopp wants end to early exits

Klopp wants end to early exits

AFP
Published : Nov 10, 2015, 1:19 am IST
Updated : Nov 10, 2015, 1:19 am IST

Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann (left) celebrates after scoring in their Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. Crystal Palace won 2-1. (Photo: AFP)

Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann (left) celebrates after scoring in their Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. Crystal Palace won 2-1. (Photo: AFP)

Jurgen Klopp admitted it is the responsibility of his Liverpool players to keep Anfield supporters glued to their seats after tasting defeat for the first time as manager of the Premier League club in a 1-2 loss to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

A late goal from lifelong Liverpool fan Scott Dann gave Palace a win at Anfield for the second consecutive season in front of the watching Steven Gerrard, whose Liverpool farewell ended in a defeat by the same opponents in May.

Dann’s headed winner eight minutes from time also had Liverpool supporters heading for the exits

“After 82 minutes I saw so many people leave the stadium, I felt pretty alone at that moment,” said Klopp.

“We decide when it is over. Between 82 and 94 minutes, you can score eight goals if you want but you have to work for it,” added the German manager, who had previously presided over a six-game unbeaten run made up of three straight draws and three successive wins after replacing the sacked Brendan Rodgers on Merseyside.

“I’m not disappointed with the fans,” insisted Klopp. “We have to learn that we are responsible and with 82 minutes gone, nobody can leave the stadium. A minute before the final whistle, anything can happen and that is what we have to show the fans. We didn’t.”

Sakho setback Klopp said fatigue played a part in the defeat, after Liverpool played in the Europa League at Rubin Kazan on Thursday and arrived back in England at 3:30am local time (0330 GMT) on Friday.

But he refused to use the travel itinerary as an excuse.

“We have to learn that it is we who decide. We decide how good we are, how awake we are, how tired we are, nobody else,” said Klopp.

“Today we needed a few minutes (to start) and by then it was too late. We did many, many good things on the day but not enough. Anybody who thinks we gave everything we had tonight is wrong.

“Of course we could do more, maybe not in terms of running, but by being more awake from the beginning. Believe me, we have to learn this,” added Klopp, who won back-to-back Bundesliga titles when in charge of former club Borussia Dortmund in 2010/11 and 2011/12.

To make matters worse for Klopp, Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho limped out of Anfield on crutches after twisting his knee badly in an awkward fall during the first half.

“That was the worst thing about tonight,” Klopp said. “I would rather have lost 4-1 and keep him in the team but we will have to wait and see. Let’s hope it’s not too serious.”

Wenger likes Giroud when he’s angry Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger drew comfort from Olivier Giroud's post-match frustration after the French striker squandered a succession of chances during his side’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

With Arsenal trailing to Harry Kane’s first-half opener at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Giroud spurned two gilt-edged headed chances before substitute Kieran Gibbs netted a 77th-minute equaliser.

Giroud also went close to scoring a winner, flashing a half-volley over the bar and testing Hugo Lloris with a header, and Wenger said the France international was left feeling “very angry” about his performance.

But it was a state of mind that encouraged his manager, who said: “I’m pleased. When you see a player who is happy to miss chances, you can worry. He’s a real goal-scorer and he did fight.

“In the last two games, at Bayern (where Arsenal lost 5-1) and tonight (Sunday) again, Giroud worked extremely hard. He wanted too much to score, I think.”

Location: United Kingdom, England, Liverpool