The Premier League season is only three game days old, but Jürgen Klopp and his Liverpool FC are already in a small crisis. You have not yet achieved a win. Things are also going badly against arch-rivals Manchester United, who are themselves badly injured. Klopp promises improvement.
Team manager Jürgen Klopp is hoping for a quick turnaround after the false start with Liverpool. "At the moment only one thing counts for us - the result. That's what hurts the most today," said Klopp after the 1: 2 (0: 1) in the top game at archrival Manchester United on Sky. Liverpool are still waiting for their first win after three games and are only 16th in the Premier League with two points. They are already seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
"It's not the easiest situation ever. But if it rains, you have to get out," Klopp continued. The appearance at Old Trafford was "not a disaster game", but United were the more aggressive team, especially at the beginning.
"From a certain moment we got the game under control and got a bunch of good stuff on the field. In the end the clock ran out too quickly. Then we lost our strength," said Klopp. Mo Salah (81st) could no longer prevent Liverpool's first defeat in the 22nd league game of the year.
For the former Dortmund Bundesliga professional Jadon Sancho, who paved the way for Manchester's first win of the season with his 1-0 lead (16th minute), the greater motivation was decisive. "We knew it was an important game, that we had to turn things around today," said the England international. "Last week hurt a lot, we knew we had to hit back."
For Manchester's second goalscorer, Marcus Rashford (53'), the "energy" on the pitch was the biggest success factor. "We started the game with more speed," he said. For this, coach Erik ten Hag had banned superstar Cristiano Ronaldo from the starting XI to the bench, as well as the other two top performers Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw. The risk paid off. "I don't see it that way with the risk," said Dutchman ten Hag. He has a large squad and has to "make decisions" that could be "different again next week". Then Man United takes on FC Southampton.
Liverpool continue on Saturday with a home game against Bournemouth. "Anfield has to rock there, we have to ignite the fire. We will try absolutely everything that the Liverpool fans expect of us. We will fight for our lives," promised Klopp.
