Liverpool’s recent inconsistency was highlighted by their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, according to manager Jurgen Klopp. Despite winning back-to-back Premier League games against Everton and Newcastle, Klopp’s side were unable to maintain their form against Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
The team’s defensive frailties, which had been evident in the win against Newcastle, were exposed by Madrid, who came back from an early 2-0 deficit to win 5-2. While Klopp acknowledged that Liverpool’s focus now had to shift towards qualifying for the Champions League through the league, he was not ready to give up on his team.
Klopp admitted that Liverpool were not yet stable, and that the team needed to work on their consistency if they were to close the seven-point gap to fourth-placed Tottenham, even with two games in hand. He stressed the importance of the team believing in themselves and bringing their quality onto the pitch.
The Liverpool manager acknowledged that recent form had affected the team’s confidence, comparing their situation to that of a driver who had recently had an accident. However, he also pointed out that Liverpool’s record against Crystal Palace had been consistent in recent seasons, with the team looking to avoid defeat in both Premier League meetings with Liverpool for the first time since 2014-15.
Liverpool’s inconsistency this season has been a source of frustration for Klopp and the team’s fans, and the defeat to Madrid was a reminder that there is still work to be done. However, with Klopp at the helm, there is no doubt that Liverpool will continue to strive for excellence and work towards regaining their place at the top of the Premier League and European football.
