Jurgen Klopp was left fuming after Liverpool’s 4-1 capitulation to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The Reds opened the scoring through Mohamed Salah, but Julian Alvarez equalised 10 minutes later before Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish added second-half goals to complete the rout.
Klopp said his side’s poor performances have been happening “too often” this season and the display in Manchester epitomised their troubles. “Conceding two quick goals broke everything down,” Klopp told BBC Sport. “The goals, how we conceded them, it’s difficult to accept – we didn’t put in a challenge for either. That’s absolutely not acceptable to be honest.”
Liverpool are now seven points adrift of the Champions League places in eighth and former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says it is “worrying times” for the Reds. Former England striker Alan Shearer told BBC Match of the Day: “Liverpool are miles off it, they look a yard short. They are so far away from where we have seen, they were hopeless today.”
This was Liverpool’s ninth Premier League loss of 2022-23 and their eighth on the road, their most in a single season since 2014-15 and as many as they had lost away from Anfield in the past three campaigns combined. Last season they were fighting on all four fronts until the end, missing out on the league title to City by one point and losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid, but this campaign has been markedly different.
Even without star man Erling Haaland, City were a class above Liverpool, particularly in the second half. Grealish was instrumental in City’s attack and also made a crucial block at 1-0 as Salah raced through, with the winger saying he feels “back to my normal self” after a difficult first season with the Blues. City boss Pep Guardiola agreed, saying this was the Grealish that City “thought could help us”, but adding that all his players were “exceptional” in the victory.
Liverpool are unable to win any silverware this term – and are now facing an uphill battle to finish in the top four, sitting seven points behind Tottenham with a game in hand. Former Reds forward Peter Crouch said on BT Sport: “If you look at the top-four spots they are off it. It seems bizarre where they are. We saw a gulf between the two teams and it is not the first time. It is not just a one-off, it has been a disappointing season.”
Former Wales defender Ashley Williams agreed with Crouch’s assessment, saying on Final Score it was “strange” to see Liverpool struggle. “It’s not working like that well-oiled machine any more. They’ve got to do something big in this next week if they want to make that top four,” he said. The Reds face Chelsea on Tuesday in a crucial game for their top-four hopes, before hosting league leaders Arsenal on Sunday, 9 April.
Jurgen Klopp was left seething after Liverpool’s dismal 4-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The Reds opened the scoring through Mohamed Salah, but Julian Alvarez equalised 10 minutes later before Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish added second-half goals to complete the rout. Klopp said his side’s poor performances have been happening “too often” this season and the display in Manchester epitomised their troubles.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says it is “worrying times” for Liverpool as they are now seven points adrift of the Champions League places in eighth. Former England striker Alan Shearer told BBC Match of the Day: “Liverpool are miles off it, they look a yard short. They are so far away from where we have seen, they were hopeless today.” This was Liverpool’s ninth Premier League loss of 2022-23 and their eighth on the road, their most in a single season since 2014-15 and as many as they had lost away from Anfield in the past three campaigns combined.
Even without star man Erling Haaland, City were a class above Liverpool, particularly in the second half. Grealish was instrumental in City’s attack and also made a crucial block at 1-0 as Salah raced through, with the winger saying he feels “back to my normal self” after a difficult first season with the Blues. City boss Pep Guardiola agreed, saying this was the Grealish that City “thought could help us”, but adding that all his players were “exceptional” in the victory.
Liverpool are now unable to win any silverware this term – and are facing an uphill battle to finish in the top four, sitting seven points behind Tottenham with a game in hand. Former Reds forward Peter Crouch said on BT Sport: “If you look at the top-four spots they are off it. It seems bizarre where they are. We saw a gulf between the two teams and it is not the first time. It is not just a one-off, it has been a disappointing season.” Former Wales defender Ashley Williams agreed with Crouch’s assessment, saying on Final Score it was “strange” to see Liverpool struggle.
The Reds must now do something big in this next week if they want to make that top four as they face Chelsea on Tuesday in a crucial game for their top-four hopes, before hosting league leaders Arsenal on Sunday, 9 April. Liverpool have lost that mojo which has seen them fight on all four fronts until the end last season, missing out on the league title to City by one point and losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid. Jurgen Klopp will be hoping his side can turn things around quickly if they want to salvage their season and secure Champions League football for next term.