Liverpool have been ticking along nicely for much of the season, winning the Carabao Cup and remaining in contention for the Premier League and the Europa League.
However, Thursday night was very much a case of spanner in the works as the Reds were schooled by Atalanta in their Europa quarter-final first leg at Anfield.
Liverpool fell to a resounding 3-0 defeat as the Italian took the game to Klopp’s side on their own turf. Indeed, the Reds could’ve easily lost by more.
You could argue that there were some mitigating circumstances for Liverpool, namely that the squad has been blighted by injuries for much of the season.
Not only have players been ruled out of action, but then it takes a while for them to get back up to speed after returning to the fold.
Furthermore, injury crises mean extra workload on the available players, which can lead to fatigue. Then you have to consider how many games there are when competing on multiple fronts.
However, Klopp doesn’t want to hear about this sort of thing.
Indeed, the Liverpool boss has stressed that he doesn’t want to hear his players talk about rustiness and lack of rhythm.
What has Jurgen Klopp said about his returning Liverpool players?
Klopp, speaking to the Reds media team, also stressed that his team can play well – and has done so – even with numerous changes in the line-up.
“My job is now not the easiest job in the world, not the most difficult as well,” Klopp began ahead of Sunday’s Crystal Palace clash at Anfield.
“But it’s about when you have players you need to make sure that you get them together on the pitch and that it works out somehow.
“In different line-ups we have played really good football this year, [but] today we didn’t. So that’s the reason why we lost. That can be the headline ‘It didn’t work out’, then it’s absolutely fine and right.
“But we need them all and we need them all aggressive, fit, going for it, a bit angry, full of desire, stuff like this, and not so much dealing with your own situation.
“Like, ‘I’ve no rhythm, I didn’t play for ages’, stuff like this. You have to try to avoid that.”
Liverpool have dilemma ahead of Europa League quarter-final second leg – TBR View
Liverpool certainly have a bit of dilemma on their hands now, namely how best to juggle his squad for the ten cup finals coming up.
The Reds are contesting one of the tightest Premier League title races in years, and any slip-up now could prove fatal in pursuit of the trophy.
At the same time, Liverpool have a mountain to climb in Bergamo, and fans will not want to see a second-string XI when they take to the pitch.
The logical thing – like Jamie Carragher suggested – would be to effectively write off the Europa League, but no Liverpool supporter would accept that, and obviously neither would Klopp.
The post 'Try to avoid that': Jurgen Klopp shares what he doesn't want to hear from Liverpool players for rest of season appeared first on TBR Football.