Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid 'doesn't feel right'
Last updated on .From the section European Football
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says their Champions League last-16 defeat by Atletico Madrid "doesn't feel right" and criticised the La Liga side's style of play.
The European champions' hopes of defending their title were ended by a 3-2 loss at Anfield on Wednesday, with Atletico winning 4-2 on aggregate.
The Reds had reached the final in the previous two seasons under the German.
Klopp suggested Diego Simeone's Atletico do not play "proper football".
"I am completely happy with the performance. It's so difficult to play a side like this," Klopp told BT Sport, adding he was "searching for the right words".
"I don't understand with the quality they have the football they play. They could play proper football but they stand deep and have counter-attacks.
"We accept it, of course, but it doesn't feel right tonight. I realise I am a really bad loser, especially when the boys put such an effort in against world-class players on the other side who defend with two rows of four.
"We know in the past two years we had some lucky moments in the Champions League - you have to to reach two finals - but today everything was against us in the decisive moments."
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Georginio Wijnaldum's first-half header made it 1-1 on aggregate and Roberto Firmino gave Liverpool the advantage early in extra time, but goalkeeper Adrian's error allowed substitute Marcos Llorente to score a crucial away goal.
Llorente scored again before Alvaro Morata added a third for Atletico in the dying seconds.
Defeat was Liverpool's fourth loss in six matches in all competitions, but they remain 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Captain Jordan Henderson said Wednesday's result was "disappointing" but added the players would use it to end the season strongly.
"We put everything into that game so we are bitterly disappointed, especially with the goals we conceded," the 29-year-old England midfielder told BT Sport.
"All we can focus on is our performance level, and to have conceded those goals isn't like us. We're disappointed but we'll take it on the chin.
"For the rest of today and tomorrow it won't feel nice, but we have to use it to help us finish the season strong."
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Priceless
But his comments smack of arrogance in the same way Pep often does. There’s no rule insisting you have to play open, attractive football.
Defending is also a skill so he needs to be more humble and suck it up.
I am surprised at Klopps bad sportsmanship though.
Diego would be loving your interview, beaten over 2 legs and beaten post match.
The truth is, Liverpool are a good team but not a great one as Klopp makes them out to be. The other teams are able to exploit their weaknesses now. It’s gonna be a tough time for them from now to the end of the season.
For all the negative play Atleti scored THREE times on a classic European night at Anfield Road.