Jurgen Klopp names four ‘OK’ performances from City defeat

Liverpool were outclassed in their trip to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, losing 4-1 to the reigning champions. Jurgen Klopp’s side took the lead through a well-taken goal from Mohamed Salah but Manchester City took control of the game in the second half.

Speaking after the game, Klopp said that only a small number of his team had put in decent performances: “I think we had around about four performances who were OK.”

“The two midfielders, [Jordan] Henderson and Fabinho, worked a lot, tried to close gaps. Cody [Gakpo] worked a lot, especially in possession, tried to close gaps, and Alisson of course.”

Klopp’s frustrations were made clear mid-way through the second half when he made a quadruple substitution, removing Salah, Andy Robertson, Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott. However those who entered failed to make any real impact.

“It’s super difficult coming on in a game like this,” Klopp said. “I don’t think they were the problem now, today. They didn’t change the game that’s true but that’s it.”

Liverpool performances dropped after halftime

Despite falling to a comprehensive defeat, Liverpool were actually holding City to a draw at halftime after a solid opening 45 minutes. The visitors started well and could have gone into the break ahead.

However Klopp was left to rue a second half collapse that undid their promising earlier work.

“Everyone could see the first half was OK, not only the result,” Klopp said. “City had more possession but that always happens when we play here and we scored a wonderful goal, could have scored a second one in a really good counter-attack.”

“You come out of half-time, a ball in midfield, not even a challenge, we are too deep… If you want to get something here, 14 or 15 players have to be on top of their game and that was not the case.”

With that defeat Liverpool slipped to eighth in the table, seven points adrift of Tottenham Hotspur in fourth.