After 1-2 defeat to Leeds, Liverpool boss Jurgen stresses Reds can’t qualify for UEFA Champions League if they continue to be as inconsistent as they were on Saturday
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (left) wears a dejected look during their match v Leeds. Pic/Getty Images
Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool are putting Champions League football next season at risk with a disastrous start to the season after Leeds stunned Anfield with a 2-1 on Saturday.
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Crysencio Summerville’s 89th minute goal inflicted the Reds first home league defeat in front of a crowd since April 2017. Liverpool have now lost twice as many games in the first 12 league games of this season as they did in 38 last season.
13 points behind City
Klopp’s men are 13 points behind of Manchester City at the top of the table and eight adrift of the top four. “We cannot qualify for the Champions League if you play as inconsistent as we do in the moment,” said Klopp. “We have to fix that and then anything is possible.”
Jurgen Klopp
For the second time in a week, Liverpool were beaten by a side that started the day in the relegation zone. Klopp again pointed the finger for his side’s struggles this season on a series of injuries and a brutal schedule to make way for a mid-season World Cup.
“The situation is like it is. There is no excuse but we had problems from the first day with injuries or half-fit players. Some play too often, others play too early [after injury]. It’s not now for an overhaul, but you have to fight through and fight for momentum and confidence.”
Leeds began the match second bottom of the table, but climbed to 15th with their first win in nine games. Rodrigo’s early opener for the visitors was quickly cancelled out by Mohamed Salah.
Also read: Mohamed Salah: We’re fighting for this title
Potter takes responsibility
Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Graham Potter suffered a nightmare return to Brighton with a 1-4 defeat on Saturday. Potter had been unbeaten in his first nine games since leaving Brighton to take over at Chelsea last month.
By contrast, the Seagulls had not won in their first five games under new boss Roberto De Zerbi, but that all changed in a dominant first half by Brighton.
“I’m not going to throw the players under the bus at all because they’ve been brilliant for us. They’ve given everything for me. I have to take responsibility and try to find a way for us to do better,” Potter said.
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