Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid 'doesn't feel right'

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I'm an 'under-average' loser - Klopp on Atletico defeat

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."

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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1204 comments

  • Comment posted by muddywaters, at 00:48 12 Mar 2020

    That's right klopp, everyone has to play the way that it suits you, if they play their own game then they arent playing proper football.... muppet.

  • Comment posted by Podgeseda, at 01:54 12 Mar 2020

    Klopp you are truly an hypocrit Last season you beat City by playing counter attacking football and thought it was a masterstroke. You get the same inflicted on you and "it doesn't feel right" because they didn't "play proper football"

    Priceless

  • Comment posted by nicolasturgeonshairdo, at 00:52 12 Mar 2020

    I’m a neutral with no axe to grind. I’m full of admiration for Klopp and what Liverpool have done so far this season.
    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.

  • Comment posted by greenriver, at 01:02 12 Mar 2020

    Klopp is right. If only Watford, Chelsea and Atletico could have played how Liverpool wanted them to play, Liverpool could still be Invicible Treble winners

  • Comment posted by Fred Tissue, at 00:58 12 Mar 2020

    Such a poor loser. Plays the smiley nice guy when all the luck goes their way, but turns into the bitterest loser when it goes against them.

  • Comment posted by soulman, at 00:54 12 Mar 2020

    dude defending is a beautiful part of the game and an art you should maybe coach your players to ... ha ha ha ... no game is only about attacking and it's about mastering all aspects ... plus they did score 4 goals against you over the two legs so pointless saying they cant play ... you challenged them and they took you up on it ... anfield aint that special after all and you do walk alone !!!

  • Comment posted by MadGooner, at 00:47 12 Mar 2020

    Its not about how you play the game, the whole aim of a football match is to win, nothing else.
    I am surprised at Klopps bad sportsmanship though.

  • Comment posted by sun ra, at 01:23 12 Mar 2020

    cant believe klopps comments when liverpool play counter attacking football themselves....a slightly more sophisticated version of hit the ball upfield and run as fast as you can... guess they dont like it when its done to them...they were out thought tactically, this evevning and their forwards didnt have the ref in thier pocket for once.

  • Comment posted by doodle1978, at 02:47 12 Mar 2020

    33 Footy Fan past 5-7 games??? My god I have never seen a more lucky team. They have been riding their luck for 2 seasons. Finally they get what they deserve. A good spanking at home. As for Klopp Henderson and Owen they all need to grow up and take the defeat. Pathetic sore losers.

  • Comment posted by U15717061, at 03:56 12 Mar 2020

    I've always liked klopp but that interview showed a side to him that I have seen in other managers past, present and will see in the future "Arrgance". Blaming what AM do in near all their knock out stages, defend then hit you when you're tired. Adrian yes had a stinker but where was your defence when needed?

    Diego would be loving your interview, beaten over 2 legs and beaten post match.

  • Comment posted by U17665117, at 06:02 12 Mar 2020

    Glad to see them fail. Already disrespected both domestic cups, don't deserve to be remembered as a great team.

  • Comment posted by kev 20, at 04:23 12 Mar 2020

    This bloke makes out he is a nice man but proper football fans know he is a attention seeking bad loser who never praises the opposition win lose or draw . last nights result goes to show never underestimate the other team . Great nite for football

  • Comment posted by Sparkie, at 05:59 12 Mar 2020

    Great to see this legendary team peaking at the right time. Always thought the gushing reviews of Shearer and co were a bit premature. Klopp love in might change after realising he only flashes the pearlie whites when things go his way, not a single bit of praise to the opposition but just moans about their style of play....Newsflash Athletico Madrid defend deep and play on the counter.

  • Comment posted by duncan, at 03:27 12 Mar 2020

    Klopp and Michael Owen stopped bleating yet ?

  • Comment posted by madu, at 02:02 12 Mar 2020

    Bro show some sportsmanship

  • Comment posted by ramLFCfan, at 01:39 12 Mar 2020

    What a stupid comment from Klopp, down to Pep Guardiola-level stupid. Liverpool played a great game and should have scored 4 or 5 goals given all the chances they created. But once your are up by 2, you should have given instructions to defend and shut down the opposition - so this loss is really attributable to his tactical error!

  • Comment posted by OzTB, at 03:29 12 Mar 2020

    Klopp has got nothing to complain about, Liverpool should of been out of sight at the end of regular time, then totally ran out of gas in OT. No side will come Anfield and play expansive football when protecting a 1-0 lead, Liverpool only have themselves to blame, if they had taken more of their chances they would in QF not Atletico.

  • Comment posted by Footy_fan, at 02:34 12 Mar 2020

    You really are a bad loser Klopp. For past 5-7 games, Liverpool had been riding their luck and the signs were there to see.

    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.

  • Comment posted by justincfc, at 06:27 12 Mar 2020

    Two banks of four?? What are they supposed to do? Attack and get slaughtered or defend properly and win? I know if i was an atletico supporter which i would prefer. Sour grapes

  • Comment posted by CostaTheBeast, at 05:43 12 Mar 2020

    Great result for English football.

    For all the negative play Atleti scored THREE times on a classic European night at Anfield Road.

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