Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal on Sunday received high praise from Jurgen Klopp, although he acknowledged that Cody Gakpo struggled in his midfield role. Despite Arsenal having numerous chances, they failed to convert, and Liverpool capitalized with an 80th-minute own goal by Jakub Kiwior and a late goal from Luis Diaz.
The absence of key players such as Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai, Mo Salah, and Wataru Endo forced Klopp to make changes to the lineup. Jarell Quansah was brought into defense, while Gakpo was deployed in midfield. While Klopp was impressed with most of his players, he admitted that Gakpo wasn’t at his best in that position. He also felt that the front three struggled in the first half but improved after halftime.
Klopp praised the performance of center-backs Quansah and Ibrahima Konate, highlighting their resilience despite facing injury scares early in the game. He also commended Trent Alexander-Arnold for his exceptional performance and Alisson Becker for his crucial saves.
In terms of tactics, Klopp acknowledged that Gakpo faced difficulties in his role and that the timing of the front three’s pressing situations was off. However, he took responsibility for not preparing for Arsenal’s specific tactics and made adjustments at halftime, which resulted in a much-improved performance in the second half.
Alexander-Arnold explained that Liverpool stuck to their style of play despite some naivety in the first half. They utilized the strengths of their attacking players, including Harvey Elliott, Darwin Nunez, and Lucho, by mixing up their positioning and playing balls in behind the defense. This tactical adjustment proved effective and created more opportunities in the second half.
Overall, Klopp was delighted with the win, considering the missing players and the challenges faced during the match. He praised his team’s resilience and ability to adapt to the game.
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